The Pacers begin November at 2–4, looking to end a three-game losing streak when Brooklyn visits Gainbridge Fieldhouse this afternoon.

Indiana beat the Nets 136–109 a week ago. Since then, the Pacers have lost to Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Miami, while Brooklyn remains winless at 0–5. The matchup offers Indiana an opportunity to recover, though the available roster looks considerably different from the one that won in Brooklyn.

What happened in Miami

Indiana lost 145–125 on Friday in its NBA Cup opener. Quenton Jackson led the Pacers with twenty-four points, and Nembhard added twenty-two points and nine assists. Walker contributed fourteen off the bench.

The guard production was encouraging. Jackson gave Indiana another player capable of attacking, while Nembhard continued to carry the responsibility of organizing the offense without Haliburton and McConnell.

The larger problem was containing Miami. Antetokounmpo finished with thirty-one points and ten assists, repeatedly forcing Indiana to account for his scoring and the opportunities he created for teammates.

Missing personnel limits the defensive options, particularly in the frontcourt. It also makes the basic work more important: contain the first drive, communicate the help, and account for someone when the shot goes up. The Pacers need more possessions where a difficult matchup doesn’t become an easy opportunity for a second player.

Nembhard and Jackson need support

Nembhard’s recent production gives Indiana a foundation. The challenge is making sure he doesn’t have to create every useful possession himself.

I’m watching how Siakam receives the ball today. Getting him touches while the defense is moving should produce better opportunities than asking him to work against a set group late in the clock. Cuts around his catches can also give him passing options before a second defender arrives.

Jackson’s role matters here, too. His ability to get downhill can relieve some pressure on Nembhard, provided the surrounding players maintain their spacing and remain available for the next pass.

For Walker, the assignment is to stay involved throughout the possession. Rebounding, cutting, and moving the ball can help sustain the offense even when he isn’t the player taking the shot.

Brooklyn is missing its young guards

The Nets lost 110–94 to Detroit on Friday. They will be without Egor Demin and Mikel Brown Jr. today, leaving Nolan Traore with a larger responsibility at point guard.

Indiana should make Traore work to get Brooklyn into its offense without sacrificing its own defensive organization. Pressure is useful when it delays the action or forces a difficult pass. It becomes less useful if it opens a direct route into the paint.

The Pacers also need to locate Michael Porter Jr. early in possessions. Letting him find comfortable perimeter attempts would give Brooklyn a way to establish rhythm without asking its depleted guard group to create much.

Julius Randle requires a different approach. Indiana needs resistance on his initial drive and timely help when he gets into scoring position. The next rotation has to be ready before the ball leaves his hands.

The previous win is a reference point

Indiana’s twenty-seven-point victory in the first meeting showed what it could accomplish against Brooklyn. Repeating that margin is a different question with Haliburton and Zubac unavailable.

I’m more interested in whether the Pacers can establish control through repeatable possessions. Can they get a good attempt after Brooklyn scores? Can they defend without needing to force a turnover? Can they secure a rebound and give themselves a chance to run?

Those are useful measures for a team trying to find consistency while its rotation keeps changing.

Who’s available?

The latest update lists Nembhard and Nesmith as available. Toppin is out with his back issue after initially being listed as questionable.

Haliburton, McConnell, Zubac, Sheppard, and Furphy remain out. Brooklyn is without Demin and Brown Jr.

Carlisle is expected to rejoin the team after missing Friday’s game to attend his father’s memorial service.

Today’s details

Opponent: Brooklyn Nets
When: Sunday, November 1, 5 p.m. ET
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Watch: DAZN
Listen: 93.5/107.5 The Fan.

With Atlanta visiting tomorrow, Indiana begins another back-to-back today. A more coordinated defensive performance and contributions beyond the primary ball handlers would give the Pacers a better chance to start it with a win.

What are you watching for against Brooklyn?

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