The undefeated season was fun while it lasted.

The Pacers lost their home opener to Dallas 121–105 on Friday, a score that was considerably kinder than the game. Tonight, Indiana visits Brooklyn with an opportunity to respond.

What happened against Dallas

The welcome for Haliburton was everything you’d hoped. The basketball that followed was…not.

Dallas scored forty-four points in the first quarter and led 77–43 at halftime. Indiana trailed by as many as thirty-seven. Siakam finished with twenty-three points, Haliburton had eighteen, and Nembhard added sixteen. None of those totals could repair the opening half.

The Mavericks made eight of thirteen threes in the first quarter. Indiana’s offense offered little relief, finishing the half 2-for-15 from deep while repeatedly struggling to generate productive possessions.

Some nights, an opponent makes difficult shots. You can survive that by taking care of your own possessions and making the next attempt harder.

Giving the opponent a comfortable evening at both ends is a recipe for disaster.

The turnovers made everything worse

Dallas scored thirty-one points off Indiana’s turnovers, including twenty-two before halftime. Siakam committed five turnovers; Haliburton and Zubac had three apiece.

That’s where tonight’s offensive improvement needs to begin.

The Pacers want to play quickly. That requires recognizing the available pass, getting into actions promptly, and keeping teammates involved. Rushing a pass through a defender doesn’t accomplish any of those things.

I’m watching how Indiana handles possessions when the first opening disappears. Can the ball find the second side? Can Zubac receive it somewhere useful? Can someone get into the paint without the possession becoming a rescue operation?

The offense has enough talent. It needs to execute.

Slawson supplied a little life

Jalen Slawson and Quenton Jackson helped make the second half more competitive. Slawson’s activity included diving on the floor to take the ball from Irving, helping create a Toppin dunk and giving the crowd something to enjoy.

Those minutes should matter when Carlisle considers tonight’s combinations.

With Sheppard and McConnell unavailable, there are opportunities for someone to earn trust. Walker remains part of that discussion, but he needs to influence possessions consistently. Rebound, defend, move the ball, and make something useful happen before the highlight opportunity arrives.

Slawson gave Carlisle a reason to look his way again. I’m interested in how early that look comes.

Brooklyn’s record offers no guarantees

The Nets are 0–2 after losing 125–121 in Cleveland on Saturday. They nearly erased a twenty-two-point deficit and now return home for the second night of a back-to-back.

Indiana should have the fresher legs. It still needs to use them.

Michael Porter Jr. scored twenty-eight against Cleveland, Julius Randle added twenty-three, and Egor Demin contributed twenty-two. Brooklyn has players capable of punishing another evening of loose defensive attention.

Porter requires defenders to stay connected through movement and locate him in transition. Randle creates a different problem with his strength and ability to draw help. Indiana needs to contain the initial action without losing track of everyone around it.

After Friday, I’d welcome a few possessions where the opponent has to consider a second option.

A chance to involve Zubac

Brooklyn’s interior defense offers Indiana somewhere to apply pressure. Day’Ron Sharpe has encountered foul trouble in both games, and Cleveland outscored the Nets 46–30 in the paint on Saturday.

I’d like to see Indiana involve Zubac early. Make Sharpe defend screens, find the roll when it’s available, and give Zubac a chance to establish position around the basket.

That also requires accurate entry passes and enough movement around him to occupy the help.

There should be opportunities for Siakam, too. The Pacers need to make Brooklyn defend multiple actions rather than letting the possession end with the first contested jumper.

Who’s available?

Nesmith is probable with his left hamstring strain. McConnell remains out, and Furphy continues his ACL rehabilitation.

The new concern is Sheppard, whose knee injury has been diagnosed as a torn left meniscus. He is out tonight; Carlisle has indicated he could miss a few weeks. Braden Smith is listed as doubtful because of his two-way status rather than an injury.

Brooklyn has ruled out Mikel Brown Jr. for back injury management and Tyler Bilodeau with a right shoulder sprain.

Tonight’s details

Opponent: Brooklyn Nets
When: Sunday, October 25, 6 p.m. ET
Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn
Watch: DAZN
Listen: 93.5/107.5 The Fan.

My wish list is fairly modest: fewer donated possessions, more resistance on defense, and a halftime score that doesn’t require a discussion of franchise history.

Indiana heads to Milwaukee tomorrow. Getting this road trip started properly would be welcome.

What do you want to see tonight?

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