Pacers Preview: Pacers (15-6) @ Dallas (14-9)

Published February 3, 2012 | By Joe Loveless

15-6

14-9

Coming off a win against Minnesota, the Pacers return to the court to face the defending NBA champion Dallas Mavericks tonight at 8:30 p.m. The Pacers are looking for their season high fourth straight win, while the Mavericks are looking to overcome a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder which featured former Pacers coach pulling a “Pete Bell” and kicking the ball into the stands. (Video here)

The Pacers have struggled in the past at Dallas. But the Pacers ended a 5 game losing streak in Dallas last season beating Dallas on January 12th, thanks to the lack of German superstar Dirk Nowitzki.

The Mavericks haven’t gotten off to a hot start after winning the championship last year. The loss of Tyson Chandler, J.J. Barea, Deshawn Stevenson in free agency and the addition of the NBA lockout certainly has not helped the veteran Mavericks.

Stats Comparison

Pacers Offense (Rank)	Mavs Offense (Rank)	Pacers Defense (Rank)	Mavs Defense(Rank)
Points: 94.5 (16)	Points: 94.3 (17)	Points: 91.2 (7)	Points: 90.8 (6)
Rebounds: 44.8 (2)	Rebounds: 43.0 (10)	Rebounds: 42.9 (21)	Rebounds: 43.1 (23)
Assists: 18.0 (27)	Assists: 21.1 (13)	Assists: 18.7 (5)	Assists: 18.2 (2)
FG%: 42.8% (23)	FG%: 43.9% (18)	FG%: 41.8% (3)	FG%: 42.0% (5)
FT%: 79.5% (2)	FT%: 73.8% (18)	FT%: 70.9% (2)	FT%: 75.1% (17)
3P%: 38.0 (7)	3P%: 31.7% (22)	3P%: 34.0% (13)	3P%: 35.7% (20)

Starting Lineups

Indiana Pacers		Dallas Mavericks
Roy Hibbert	Edge: Pacers	Brendan Haywood
David West	Edge: Mavericks	Dirk Nowitzki
Danny Granger	Edge: Pacers	Shawn Marion
Paul George	Edge: Pacers	Vince Carter
Darren Collison	Edge: Pacers	Rodrigue Beaubois

Injury Report

Jeff Foster – out, lower back
George Hill – out, sprained ankle

Jason Kidd – out, strained right calf

Referees

Marc Davis
Olandis Poole
Leon Wood

3 Keys

1. Turnovers. The Mavericks are 4-7 when they turn the ball over 15+ times a game. When they turn it over less than 15 times? 10 and 2. Collison needs to pressure Beaubois and get him to commit turnovers. It will not be an easy task, as in his last 5 games the most he has turned the ball over is two times.

2. Bench play. The Pacers will need the bench to play strong. With Lamar Odom and Jason Terry coming off the bench, it will be a mismatch for the Pacers. With George Hill being out, Lance Stephenson and A.J. Price will need to pick up the defense against the explosive Jason Terry. Who guards Lamar Odom? Tyler Hansbrough is not quick enough to play with him on the perimeter, and Dahntay Jones is too small.

3. Starters. On paper are starters are better at nearly every position except power forward. They need to play well to have any chance of winning.

Prediction

This will be a close game. The Mavericks are a good team, with a good fan base. It is always tough to win on the road, especially in Dallas. But this Pacers team seems different than years past and I see them winning this one 96-90.

RT @JMV1070: Heard prior to Lance Stephenson entering last nights game 3. #Pacers Asso HC Brain Shaw to LS, "Don't be a jackass". Aweso ...