The Indiana Pacers will look to end their seven-game road losing streak when they visit the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center on December 4. Both teams enter the matchup with identical 9-13 records, battling to stay in the playoff hunt in the Eastern Conference. The Pacers have struggled away from home, while the Nets aim to bounce back from a three-game losing streak.
Indiana’s road record of 2-10 highlights their difficulties this season. The Pacers’ most recent loss, a 122-111 defeat to Toronto, showcased ongoing issues with turnovers and defensive lapses. Meanwhile, the Nets are dealing with injuries to several key players, which has affected their ability to find consistency. This game is a critical opportunity for both teams to regain momentum.
The Pacers and Nets last met in April, with Brooklyn securing a narrow 115-111 victory. Wednesday’s matchup provides a fresh chance for each team to make adjustments and address their respective shortcomings.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have leaned heavily on Tyrese Haliburton, who leads the team with 11.5 assists per game and contributes 18.2 points. Haliburton bounced back from a quiet performance on Sunday with a 30-point outing against Toronto, but his impact has been limited in road games this season. Bennedict Mathurin and Pascal Siakam have also been consistent contributors, combining for 30.4 points per game.
Defensive issues have plagued the Pacers, particularly on the road. Indiana allows an average of 116.8 points per game, ranking near the bottom of the league in opponent scoring. The team’s turnovers have also been costly, with 21 giveaways in their most recent loss to the Raptors. Coach Rick Carlisle has emphasized the need for the Pacers to play with more intensity and focus to reverse their road woes.
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets have struggled with injuries, missing key players like Cam Thomas and Ben Simmons. Thomas leads Brooklyn in scoring with 22.7 points per game but remains sidelined with a hamstring strain. Dorian Finney-Smith and Cameron Johnson are also questionable for Wednesday’s matchup, further complicating Brooklyn’s rotation.
Brooklyn has seen some bright spots despite their struggles. Tyrese Martin has stepped up in recent games, scoring 30 points against Phoenix and adding 15 points against Chicago. Rookie forward Dariq Whitehead also impressed with 18 points in Monday’s loss to the Bulls. However, the Nets’ defense has been inconsistent, allowing opponents to dominate in the paint and on the boards.
Pick and Prediction
Both teams enter this game with significant challenges, but Indiana’s struggles on the road give Brooklyn a slight edge, even with their injury concerns. The Nets’ role players have shown they can step up when needed, and home-court advantage should help Brooklyn prevail in a closely contested game.
- Prediction: Brooklyn Nets 114, Indiana Pacers 110
