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Indiana Pacers look to build versus Chicago in third preseason game

By Justin Byers

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 04: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls and Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers walk across the floor in overtime at the United Center on January 04, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 04: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls and Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers walk across the floor in overtime at the United Center on January 04, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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After two impressive wins in India, the Indiana Pacers return to Banker’s Life Fieldhouse for its first home appearance of the season as the team takes on the Chicago Bulls in the third preseason contest before the regular season.

Banker’s Life Fieldhouse will regain its prominence as the Pacers return to their home court as they look to finish the preseason on a strong note. As the regular season nears, it will important for both teams to execute as both the Bulls and Pacers have new faces throughout the roster and players in the midst of their development.

This preseason contest against the Bulls holds some significance as it is the first Pacers home preseason game versus an NBA team since October of 2016.

Former Pacers forward and fan favorite Thaddeus Young will return to Banker’s Life for the first time since joining the Bulls this summer. The former Pacer joins a Bulls team that is composed of a young nucleus that is looking to take the next step in an Eastern Conference that has no clear frontrunner.

This season, the Pacers have reshaped their roster and approach. Therefore, it will be important for the team to get off to a strong start in the familiar environment of Banker’s Life.

Throughout the week, the Pacers front office has made several transactions that help determine the make-up of the team’s roster now and in the future.

With the Pacers picking up the third-year option of Aaron Holiday and the fourth-year option of TJ Leaf, it will be important for Leaf to validate the front office’s decisions with his play, which starts tonight against the Bulls.

Unfortunately for Holiday, he will not get the opportunity to compete in tonight’s contest as he has been ruled out due to an illness.

Bulls center Wendell Carter Jr. may also miss the contest due to injury. The 7th overall pick of the 2018 draft has been nursing ankle and tailbone injuries. The organization wants to be smart with Carter Jr. as the regular season approaches.

Before tonight’s contest, the Pacers acquired former Bulls guard Walt Lemon Jr. after waiving Jakeenan Gant earlier this week. Lemon Jr. may be a familiar face to Pacers fans as he had previously spent two stints with the Pacers G-League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. Lemon Jr. comes as an added layer of depth to the point guard position.

For the Bulls, it will be important for their young talent to compete from start to finish. Third-year power forward Lauri Markkanen will look to build on the success he has found this preseason after missing 30 games in 2018-2019 due to a heart and respiratory issue.

Markkanen presents an interesting matchup for Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner as he has the height and length of a dominating NBA center while also having the ability to shoot the ball from distance.

In addition to a strong low-post presence, the Bulls have a slew of young guards. Rookie Coby White has shown flashes throughout the preseason and adds a layer of unique athleticism the Pacers will have to deal with from tip-off.

Denzel Valentine who enters this season healthy will also look to compete this evening and prove his worth to the Bulls coaching staff that he is worthy of consistent minutes on a nightly basis.

The Pacers will have to defend the explosive Zach LaVine who has given teams across the league fits since entering the league in 2014. LaVine will look to regenerate the buzz he has created in the past and that can begin with strong preseason performances.

Kris Dunn and proven veteran Otto Porter Jr. will also look to put the Bulls in a position to be successful as they are guards who play at a high-level on both sides of the floor.

The Pacers will be tested, particularly at the guard position.

Next. 3 reasons to believe in the Indiana Pacers this season. dark

Not only is Pacers versus Bulls a regional matchup but one that can have season-long implications from a personnel and game-planning standpoint. With an Eastern Conference riddled with parity, it is open for any team’s taking.  After a successful trip to India, the Pacers will look to build on an already promising preseason.

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