The Indiana Pacers are coming into this home matchup with a record of 19-34. They face the Chicago Bulls who they have split games with this season, each winning one of the two games against each other.
The Pacers’ frontcourt takes another hit, as Isaiah Jackson went down with an ankle sprain and is out for tonight’s game.
Indiana played with just nine players in their one-point loss to the Orlando Magic this Wednesday. Two-way player Terry Taylor (6’5″) filled in the center role, scoring a career-high 24 points and 16 rebounds.
"These other young guys are surrounded by these supportive veteran players and that’s a big deal. Our coaching staff has continued to be positive with these guys even when they weren’t playing a whole lot”.You have to keep yourself ready when the opportunity knocks and all these guys have done that”."
Pacers vs Bulls Odds, Spread, Over/Under & Betting Pick
The latest odds from WynnBET (sign up with this link) have the Bulls as -2.5 favorites against the Pacers. Indiana stands as a +120 moneyline underdog while Chicago is currently a -145 moneyline favorite.
The over/under for this contest has been set at 231.0.
Projected Pacers Starting Lineup Tonight
SF: Justin Holiday
PF: Torrey Craig
C: Terry Taylor
SG: Chris Duarte
PG: Caris LeVert
Pacers Injury Report
Pacers: Domantas Sabonis entered health and safety protocols and will be out for this game. The Pacers will still be without Malcolm Brogdon (Achilles), Myles Turner (foot), and Goga Bitadze (foot). Oshae Brissett (ankle) is still questionable. Isaiah Jackson is out with an ankle sprain. Meanwhile, TJ McConnell (wrist) and TJ Warren (foot) remain without a timetable to return.
Bulls: Zach LaVine – probable (right mid-back spasm), Lonzo Ball – out (left meniscus tear), Alex Caruso – out (right wrist fracture), Derrick Jones Jr. – out (right finger fracture), Marko Simonovic – out (G League assignment), Patrick Williams – out (left wrist ligament tear)
Indiana Pacers vs Chicago Bulls Prediction
The Pacers will likely struggle without a great matchup against former All-Star Nikola Vucevic. If Goga Bitadze and Brissett aren’t able to play, Vucevic will have a heyday down low.
Indiana is shorthanded against the big three of Chicago, so players like Chris Duarte and Justin Holiday will need to find a rhythm offensively. If Caris LeVert and Lance Stephenson can help distribute the ball effectively, that will be the best way to attack this Bulls team.
The Bulls will have all of DeMar DeRozan, Zach Lavine (All-Star), and Nikola Vucevic in this contest. Their chemistry and offensive firepower make them hard to stop, they are first in the eastern conference.
Pacers 97, Bulls 113
Make your pick now on WynnBET.
What channel is the Indiana Pacers game on?
Wednesday’s contest will air on Bally Sports Indiana (Indianapolis) and Bally Sports Midwest and will tip off at 7 PM ET.
Pacers Next Game and Schedule
Indiana travels to Cleveland before hitting the road for a meeting with Atlanta, followed by another matchup with the Cavaliers back at the Fieldhouse. The Cavs are the current fifth seed with a record of 31-21.
Feb. 08 @ Atlanta
Feb. 11 vs Cleveland
Feb. 13 vs Timberwolves
Feb. 15 @ Milwaukee