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Thanks to very generous shoutouts by @iPacersblog and @_PacersTalk, we have a bunch of new followers on X. I'm going to open up commenting for the rest of the pre-season so that anybody interested in joining can get a taste of what it's like to interact with you fanatics. Let's keep the energy going!

Game Preview

After a quick break the Pacers are back in action against the Rockets in Houston tonight. The matchup is the Rockets' first game of the (pre) season, making it head coach Ime Udoka's debut with the team.

It could also be the debut for a quite a few new faces on their roster. Much like the Pacers, Houston is in the early stages of a rebuild and made a concerted effort to add veteran leadership to its core of young players this summer. The team had a splashy free agency, committing $210 million to bring in Fred Van Vleet and Dillon Brooks. It also made a few less costly veteran additions, acquiring Jock Landale, Jeff Green, Boban Marjanovic, and former Pacers first round pick Aaron Holiday.

Speaking of first round picks, the Rockets selected Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore during the most recent draft, two of this site's favorite prospects. Add them on top of Jabari Smith, Jr., Jalen Green, Tari Eason, and Alperen Sengun, and the Rockets easily have one of the most exciting young rosters in the NBA.

According to Udoka, all of his players are available tonight, so hopefully we get to see everybody get some run.

For their part, the Pacers are looking to bounce back after an overtime loss in Memphis on Sunday. Coach Carlisle – and everybody else who watched – thought that the team was sloppy against the Grizzlies but, all in all, performed well. He mentioned that the entire team was gassed by the end of the game, even with most guys playing less than 20 minutes. Once players get their sea legs under them, he expects a sharper quality of play.

At the time of writing, the team hasn't confirmed whether Tyrese Haliburton and Daniel Theis will be available tonight after getting scheduled rest on Sunday. We do know that Andrew Nembhard will miss the game as he is not expected to rejoin the team until Thursday or Friday.

Walker Returns to Houston

Pacers rookie Jarace Walker got a chance to show the team around his old stomping grounds yesterday when it practiced at the University of Houston. After the Memphis game, Walker was asked about his excitement level to return and his response was something that's better seen than described:

And it turns out Walker had plenty to smile about. His former coach (and IU villain) Kelvin Sampson surprised him with a conference championship ring while he was in the building.

On a separate note, I'm enjoying the harmony in how smily and charismatic this year's rookies are compared to the quiet intensity of Mathurin and Nembhard last year. It feels like there's balance in the force.

Although maybe not for long... the good vibes on this team are contagious and Benn Mathurin looks like he may have caught the bug. Let's hope the guys keep the same energy all year.

How to Watch

Tipoff is at 8:00 PM ET and it will be broadcast on NBA League Pass for everyone not in Houston. For Indy locals, you can listen to the game on 93.5/107.5 The Fan.

See ya in the comments!

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