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An inter-conference matchup is set for Sunday night when the Indiana Pacers (24-18, 24-18-1 ATS) head west to take on the Phoenix Suns (23-18, 15-25-1 ATS). The Pacers currently sit at 7th in the Eastern Conference while the Suns are in 8th in the West. Indiana is coming off a road loss to Portland, going down 118-115 as 7.5-point road favorites. The Suns are fresh of a road win over the Pelicans, winning 123-109 as 2.5-point road underdogs. This is the first of two matchups between these teams this season. The Suns are currently listed as 4.5-point home favorites. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 EST from the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
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The Indiana Pacers recently made a trade with a win-now mentality, as they sent future draft picks and Bruce Brown to the Raptors for All-Star forward Pascal Siakam. Siakam made his Indiana debut against the Blazers at home, he shot well from the field going 9-14 and finishing with 21 points, but the Pacers ultimately lost by three as home favorites. Siakam got outdueled by Portland's Jerami Grant who had 37 points in the game. Indiana was led by big man Myles Turner with 29 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.
“He just has a way, a knack…I wasn't worried about him fitting in on short notice.”
Coach Carlisle on Pascal Siakam's debut last night. pic.twitter.com/fKIs2Mkkbb
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) January 20, 2024
Tyrese Haliburton is still the main attraction for Indiana, but he now has a secondary star in Siakam to rely upon. Haliburton leads the NBA in assists with 12.6 per game while leading the Pacers with 23.6 PPG. He is coming off a 21 point, 17 assist game in the close loss to Portland. Siakam dropped 21 points in his first game with Indiana, and is averaging 22.2 PPG on the year, providing Indiana with another All-Star caliber player to make a playoff run. The Pacers still have big man Myles Turner on the inside scoring 17.5 PPF and grabbing 7.2 RPG as a 6'11 center with good touch from the outside. Against Portland, they starter shooter Buddy Heild (12.8 PPG) and athletic wing Aaron Nesmith (11.8 PPG).
Bennedict Mathurin is their top scorer off the bench, the 2nd year player out of Arizona averages 14.5 PPG and can score well above the rim. Obi Toppin is a 6'8 forward adding another 11.2 PPG, but will now come off the bench behi nd Siakam. Indiana is ranked 2nd in the league in offensive efficiency, and 27th in the league in defensive efficiency according to dunksandthrees.com. The Pacers currently play at the fastest pace in the NBA, averaging 103.1 possessions per game.
Injury Report:
Day-to-day: Isaiah Jackson, Andrew Nembhard.