The Pacers finish their road trip in Dallas tonight, looking to turn a healthier rotation into more consistent basketball.

Indiana is 3–7 after Saturday’s 114–102 loss to Denver in Mexico City. Dallas enters at 6–4 after beating Brooklyn 130–93 on Sunday, making this the second night of a back-to-back for the Mavericks.

The first meeting went badly for Indiana. Tonight offers a chance to correct some of those problems before heading home.

What happened in Mexico City

Denver took control during a four-minute Indiana scoring drought in the second quarter. A 15–0 run helped the Nuggets build a twenty-seven-point lead before halftime.

The Pacers responded after the break. Walker’s three brought them within 102–95 with 7:26 remaining, but Denver scored the next six points and maintained control.

Siakam finished with twenty-three points. Nance scored fifteen on five threes, while Zubac contributed ten points and twelve rebounds. Jokic led Denver with nineteen points, thirteen rebounds, and eight assists.

The second-half response was encouraging. The size of the deficit made it difficult to turn that improvement into a genuine opportunity to win.

Indiana needs more dependable offense when the first few attempts don’t fall. That means getting into actions early enough to reach a second option, giving the ball handler useful passing targets, and continuing to involve the interior rather than allowing the possession to end with a difficult perimeter shot.

Zubac gives Indiana something to build around

Zubac’s double-double was a useful step after his return from the ankle injury. The Pacers need his screening and rebounding, but they also need to become more consistent about finding him in productive positions.

Against Dallas, I’m watching the timing between the screen and the next pass. If Nembhard draws a second defender, the ball needs to move before that opening closes. The surrounding players can help by cutting behind the help or relocating into a clear passing window.

There should also be opportunities to establish Zubac near the basket. Indiana doesn’t need every possession to move at the same speed. A controlled interior touch can create a good attempt or force a defensive adjustment that opens something elsewhere.

The first meeting needs a better answer

Dallas won 121–105 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on October 23. The Mavericks scored forty-four points in the first quarter and led 77–43 at halftime.

Indiana cannot give Dallas that level of comfort again. The early priorities are getting back on defense, protecting the ball, and making the Mavericks work through contested possessions.

Flagg’s playmaking deserves particular attention. He recorded twelve assists against Brooklyn on Sunday and is averaging seven per game.

The Pacers need to offer resistance before he gets into the middle of the floor. Once he draws help there, Dallas has opportunities for cuts, passes to the center, and perimeter attempts against a recovering defense.

That puts responsibility on everyone. The initial defender has to stay involved, while the help defenders need to know which opening they are protecting.

Irving adds another layer

Irving scored twenty-one points against Brooklyn. Dallas also generated sixty-four points in the paint, with Daniel Gafford contributing eighteen.

Indiana needs to stay disciplined through Irving’s changes of pace without sending unnecessary help away from the basket. A difficult individual attempt is sometimes a better outcome than opening a clean pass to a teammate.

At the other end, the Pacers should make Dallas defend multiple actions. The Mavericks played last night, but Indiana still has to create the movement and pressure that make a quick turnaround difficult.

I’d like to see Siakam receive the ball while the defense is shifting, with teammates already moving around him. Asking him to repeatedly create against a settled group places too much responsibility on one player.

The reserve minutes still matter

McConnell made his season debut in Mexico City, but his availability tonight remains unsettled. His status affects how Carlisle distributes the ball-handling behind Nembhard.

Smith and Jackson can help by keeping possessions organized and attacking available space. Nance’s shooting was useful Saturday, while Huff offers another way to stretch a defender away from the basket.

The important part is maintaining enough movement for those options to matter. Indiana needs productive reserve possessions even when the first scoring opportunity disappears.

Who’s available?

As of the NBA’s 5 p.m. ET report, McConnell is questionable with his right hamstring strain.

Haliburton, Sheppard, and Furphy remain out. 

Dallas is without Dereck Lively II, Sergio de Larrea, and Tarik Biberovic. Morez Johnson Jr. is questionable with a left shin/tibia contusion. Irving is not listed on the report.

Tonight’s details

Opponent: Dallas Mavericks
When: Monday, November 9, 8 p.m. ET
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas
Watch: DAZN locally; NBA League Pass out of market, subject to restrictions.

Indiana has more of its rotation available than it did a week ago. Tonight, I’m looking for that depth to produce steadier possessions, better defensive communication, and a competitive game from the opening quarter.

What are you watching for against Dallas?

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