The Indiana Pacers failed to redeem themselves after being served with a beatdown at home by the defending champs, blowing another first-half lead on the road en route to a close 100-98 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on the second night of a back-to-back.
A big chance to turn their season around, however, will be available for the Blue and Gold in the next couple of weeks, with the Pacers slated for a lengthy six-game homestand that kicks off with their first meeting of the season against the Atlanta Hawks, which have a middling record so far after shocking everyone by reaching the Eastern Conference Finals a season ago.
On the season, the Pacers are 6-4 at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse and 5-10 against the East while the Hawks are 3-8 on the road and 6-5 against conference foes. Indiana ranks 16th in offensive rating and 12th in defensive rating while Atlanta sits at second and 24th, respectively, on the same departments.
Pacers vs Hawks Odds, Spread, Over/Under & Betting Pick
The latest odds from WynnBET (sign up with this link) have the Pacers as surprising -1.0 favorites at home against the visiting Hawks. Meanwhile, Indiana is a -120moneyline favorite while Atlanta is currently a +100 moneyline underdog.
The over/under for this contest has been set at 217.5. A high-scoring affair is anticipated.
Projected Pacers Starting Lineup Tonight
SF: Caris LeVert
PF: Torrey Craig
C: Domantas Sabonis
SG: Malcolm Brogdon
PG: TJ McConnell
Pacers Injury Report
Justin Holiday will miss the game after being placed in the health and safety protocols. Myles Turner (non-COVID related illness), who missed the last contest against Minnesota, is a game time decisions against Atlanta. TJ Warren (left foot) remains out for this game. No other injuries have been reported at this point.
Indiana Pacers vs Atlanta Hawks Prediction
It’s actually quite surprising that the oddsmakers have the Pacers as slight favorites entering this matchup given their injury report, but the Hawks have been atrocious on the road to begin their “prove-it” campaign. Indiana has also been the usual victor against Atlanta in recent season, winning 11 of the last 14 meetings.
However, if Myles Turner is shelved once again, the Pacers will be extra vulnerable to the Hawks’ scoring attack, which ranks second among all 30 teams. Indiana has some rangy defenders to bother star playmaker Trae Young, but the Hawks’ secondary playmakers and big men are all capable of shouldering the load offensively. Call me the pessimist who shifts the tunes after a setback, but for the sake of a hopeful jinx, I’m predicting a close Atlanta win in a high-scoring contest.
Pacers 110, Hawks 117
Make your pick now on WynnBET.
What channel is the Indiana Pacers game on?
Saturday’s game will air on Bally Sports Indiana (Indianapolis) and Bally Sports Southeast (Atlanta) and will tip off at 7 pm ET.
Indiana Pacers vs Atlanta Hawks Live Stream
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Pacers Next Game and Schedule
The Pacers remain at home to continue their homestand against Eastern Conference foes Miami, Washington, and New York before an interconference matchup with Dallas.
Dec. 03 vs Miami
Dec. 06 vs Washington
Dec. 08 vs New York
Dec. 10 vs Dallas