TIME CHANGE NOTICE: Tipoff for Monday's game has been moved up to 7:00 PM ET. Please remember to arrive early.
Matchup
The Pacers (29-25) will try to bounce back from a three-game losing streak on Monday night, when the San Antonio Spurs (41-13) make their lone visit of the season to Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Indiana is in the midst of a tough stretch in the schedule, with five of their final six games before next week's All-Star break coming against teams currently in the top three in their respective conferences. The Blue & Gold had won seven in a row before they fell at home against East-leading Cleveland last Wednesday, then lost at red-hot Washington on Friday, two losses that were disappointing but not disheartening.
Saturday's 116-100 loss to Milwaukee, however, was more frustrating. The Bucks had lost 12 of their last 14 games prior to Saturday, but they buried 17-of-31 3-pointers against Indiana and led by double digits for large swathes of the game.
The Pacers' two leading scorers both had off nights offensively on Saturday. All-Star forward Paul George had scored at least 20 points in nine of his previous 10 games, but he had just 13 points on 4-of-11 shooting with five turnovers against the Bucks. Point guard Jeff Teague, who has been largely brilliant in 2017, attempted just two shots in 32 minutes and didn't score until the closing seconds of the game.
If there is a positive the Pacers can draw from Saturday, it's the play of their two shooting guards. Starter C.J. Miles had a team-high 23 points while knocking down 6-of-11 3-pointers, the second time in the last three games he has made six threes. Veteran Monta Ellis also had a strong game with 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting off the bench, including a pair of eye-raising dunks out of halfcourt sets, and appears to finally be settling in to his new sixth man role.
Even with Tim Duncan retired, the Spurs remain one of the best teams in the league. The perennial contenders had won five of their last six before falling to the Knicks in New York on Sunday afternoon.
San Antonio is led by forward Kawhi Leonard, a first-team All-NBA selection last season. He has become even more of a scorer this season, improving his scoring average by over four points per game. Also the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Leonard will be locked on to George for most of Monday's matchup. As of Sunday morning, the Spurs' star ranked 10th in the league in points and 11th in steals.
Projected Starters
Jeff Teague
Paul George
C.J. Miles
Lavoy Allen
Myles Turner
Tony Parker
Danny Green
Kawhi Leonard
LaMarcus Aldridge
Dewayne Dedmon
Pacers: PG - Jeff Teague, SG - Paul George, SF - C.J. Miles, PF - Lavoy Allen, C - Myles Turner
Spurs: PG - Tony Parker, SG - Danny Green, SF - Kawhi Leonard, PF - LaMarcus Aldridge, C - Dewayne Dedmon
Injury Report
Pacers: Thaddeus Young - out (sprained left wrist)
Spurs: Pau Gasol - out (fracture, left fourth metacarpal)
Last Meeting
March 7, 2016: The Pacers put together a dominant defensive performance in a 99-91 win over the Spurs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana held San Antonio, who entered the night with the second-best record in the NBA at 53-9, to 35.4 percent shooting and 14.3 percent from 3-point range.
Monta Ellis led all scorers with 26 points, going 8-for-13 from the field and 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Paul George added 23 points and five rebounds, while Myles Turner added nine points and 10 boards off the bench.
LaMarcus Aldridge had 23 points and 12 rebounds to lead San Antonio. Kawhi Leonard also had 23 points, while Patty Mills added 17.
Noteworthy
- With their next home win, the Pacers will clinch a winning record at home for the 28th straight season, the longest active streak in the NBA and the fourth-longest streak all-time.
- The Pacers are 36-51 against the Spurs all-time, including a 21-22 record in Indianapolis.
- Prior to last season's win, Indiana had dropped its last seven home games against the Spurs.
- Paul George needs three steals to reach 700 for his career. Jeff Teague is seven steals away from the same milestone.
Tickets
The Pacers host Kawhi Leonard and the Spurs on Monday, Feb. 13 at 7:00 PM ET. Find Tickets »
Broadcast Information TV & Radio Listings »
TV: FOX Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Slick Leonard (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)
Please Note: Inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Pacers radio broadcasts can be heard on 1080 AM instead of 1070.
IMS Night
Monday is also Indianapolis Motor Speedway Night! The first 5,000 fans to enter the game will receive a checkered koozie courtesy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway! Come watch your favorite IndyCar Drivers participate in all kinds of on-court activities throughout the game.
Home Court Gift Shop Game Night Special
Salt & Pepper Pants - $25. Game Night Specials can be purchased in the Home Court Gift Shop or any of our souvenir stands located on all levels of Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The special is also available online at PacersGear.com until midnight.
Construction Notes: Due to construction taking place, N. Pennsylvania Street will be closed from E. Vermont Street through E. New York Street. Traffic will be reduced to two lanes from E. North Street to E. Michigan Street. With expected downtown traffic this evening, be sure to plan for extra travel time.
The Delaware St. entrance to the Virginia Ave. Parking Garage is no longer in operation due to the construction of the St. Vincent Center. To enter the Virginia Ave. Parking Garage, please use the entrance located at the intersection of E Maryland St. and S Alabama St.
In addition, the southbound lane of Delaware Street from Maryland to just south of the train bridge will be closed for the duration of the construction project.