Dallas Mavericks vs Indiana Pacers Picks and Predictions November 4th 2024

Mavericks vs Pacers November 4th 2024

At 9:45 ET, the Pacers (2-4) will travel to Dallas to take on the Mavericks (4-2) in a non-conference matchup. The Mavericks are currently favored by 5 points and the over/under line is set at 235.5.

This game will be played at the American Airlines Center and can be seen on KFAA.

Pacers vs. Mavericks Key Information

The Pacers fell to 2-4 on the season after a 125-118 road loss to the Pelicans on Friday. Indiana, who entered the game as -4.5 point favorites, failed to cover the spread. The total score of 243 points exceeded the O/U line of 231.5 by 11.5 points.

A key moment came when the Pelicans went on a 10-0 run, turning an 11-4 deficit into a 14-11 lead. The game was tied at 62 at halftime, but New Orleans edged ahead by outscoring Indiana 33-27 in the 3rd quarter. The Pelicans narrowly outscored the Pacers 30-29 in the 4th to seal the win.

Ben Sheppard knocked down 6 threes at a 54.5% clip, leading the Pacers with 20 points in their loss to the Pelicans. He scored 11 points in the 3rd quarter, while Bennedict Mathurin added 13 of his 19 points in the 4th.

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As a team, the Pacers hit 16 threes, shooting 42.1% from deep and 51.7% overall. Pascal Siakam contributed 16 points, and Aaron Nesmith added 12, with 7 coming in the opening quarter.

Defensively, the Pacers struggled on Friday, giving up 125 points to the Pelicans. Indiana allowed 35 points in the 1st quarter and 33 in the 3rd, but they did manage to hold New Orleans to 27 points in the 2nd quarter.

Indiana allowed the Pelicans to shoot 48% from the field and 38% from three, with New Orleans hitting 12 threes. The Pacers sent the Pelicans to the line 19 times, where they made 15 free throws. Indiana also gave up 15 offensive rebounds while recording 3 steals and 3 blocks.

The Mavericks improved to 4-2 this season with a decisive 108-85 win over the Magic on Sunday. Dallas, favored by 6.5 points, covered the spread at home. The game’s total of 193 points fell well short of the 220-point O/U line.

A key moment came when Dallas went on a 13-0 run, stretching the score from 25-22 to 38-22. They dominated the 2nd quarter, outscoring Orlando 35-18, and led 88-61 going into the 4th, allowing them to coast to victory despite being outscored 24-20 in the final period.

Ben Sheppard knocked down 6 threes at a 54.5% clip, leading the Pacers with 20 points in their loss to the Pelicans. He scored 11 of those points in the 3rd quarter. Bennedict Mathurin added 19 points, with 13 coming in the 4th.

Indiana hit 16 threes, shooting 42.1% from deep and 51.7% overall. Pascal Siakam contributed 16 points, while Aaron Nesmith and Myles Turner each added 12.

The Mavericks put on a defensive clinic against the Magic, allowing just 85 points in their victory. They held Orlando to 22 points in the 1st quarter and 18 in the 2nd, maintaining their strong defense throughout the game by giving up only 21 in the 3rd and 24 in the 4th.

Dallas limited the Magic to 33% shooting from the field, including just 19% from beyond the arc, where Orlando made only 8 threes. The Mavericks also sent the Magic to the line 19 times, where they hit 15 free throws. Defensively, Dallas recorded 8 steals and 5 blocks.

We’re putting our money on the Mavericks to win, and have the projected score sitting at 142-118. We also like them to cover the spread, so our recommendation is to bet on the Mavericks at -5.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 235.5, and our model predicts the Pacers and Mavericks to score a combined 260 points. We recommend betting on the over.

Luka Doncic, Mavericks Target Depleted Pacers in Dallas Showdown

The Indiana Pacers face an uphill battle as they prepare to take on the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night. Injuries have severely impacted the Pacers’ lineup, and the loss of key players may push Indiana to explore trade options well before the February trade deadline. Meanwhile, Dallas, led by Luka Doncic, looks to extend its winning momentum after a dominant 108-85 victory over the Orlando Magic.

Mavericks Rolling with Luka Doncic Leading the Charge

Dallas’ performance against Orlando highlighted the team’s improved defense and seamless offensive execution. Luka Doncic, as always, was pivotal, tallying 32 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in just 32 minutes. Doncic dominated the first half with 25 points, allowing the Mavericks to rest their starters for most of the fourth quarter.

“Today was real fun,” Doncic said after the game. “We were guarding everybody, defending, rebounding, and playing with a lot of pace.”

Another positive for Dallas has been Klay Thompson, who joined the team after an impressive tenure with the Golden State Warriors. Although Thompson scored just nine points against Orlando, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd appreciated his defensive effort and playmaking abilities. Thompson’s growing chemistry with Doncic and the rest of the Mavericks roster promises to strengthen Dallas’ backcourt.

“I thought he played a great game,” Kidd said of Thompson. “His energy was high, and he moved well on both ends. His defense was really good.”

Daniel Gafford and rookie Dereck Lively II also contributed significantly, with Gafford putting up a season-high 18 points and Lively recording 11 points and 11 rebounds. Their contributions provide Dallas with additional scoring options, a valuable asset for a team looking to maintain momentum in a competitive Western Conference.

Injury-Plagued Pacers Face Difficult Matchup

For the Indiana Pacers, the timing of this matchup is less than ideal. The Pacers are already reeling from injuries, and the list continues to grow. Forward Aaron Nesmith (left ankle sprain) and center Isaiah Jackson, who exited early in Friday’s 125-118 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, are both sidelined. Nesmith will miss Monday’s game, while Jackson’s season has been cut short due to a torn Achilles, a devastating blow to Indiana’s frontcourt.

Jackson’s absence marks the second major Achilles injury for the Pacers this season, following James Wiseman’s injury in the season opener. With the potential loss of guard Andrew Nembhard, who is dealing with knee tendinitis, Indiana’s depth and defensive versatility are severely tested. This lack of interior presence became evident against New Orleans, where Zion Williamson torched the Pacers with 34 points on 14-of-20 shooting.

Head coach Rick Carlisle acknowledged the defensive struggles against physical forwards, an area of concern with Dallas’s balanced inside-outside game. “The game had a lot of good stretches for us, but we weren’t able to sustain those,” Carlisle said. “Rebounding was a problem, and dealing with Williamson and Ingram was costly.”

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One bright spot for Indiana was the performance of guard Ben Sheppard, who led the Pacers with 20 points, including six 3-pointers. The second-year guard’s energy and efficient shooting have earned him a bigger role in Carlisle’s rotation, potentially providing Indiana with a spark off the bench amid their injury woes.

“He’s just been very consistent,” Carlisle said of Sheppard. “He plays within our system, takes the right shots, and defensively, he’s out there busting his butt.”

Key Matchups and Game Dynamics

1. Luka Doncic vs. Pacers’ Backcourt
   Doncic’s ability to command the game with both scoring and playmaking will be challenging for the Pacers to counter, especially with Nembhard’s questionable status. Doncic will likely test Indiana’s defensive limits and control the game’s pace.
2. Dallas’ Interior Presence Against Indiana’s Thin Frontcourt
   With Jackson and Wiseman both out, Dallas’ forwards and centers have an advantage in the paint. Look for Gafford and Lively to exploit Indiana’s weakened interior defense, which has struggled with physical players like Williamson.
3. Ben Sheppard’s Impact and Indiana’s Supporting Cast
   In the absence of key players, Sheppard has stepped up and will need to maintain his hot shooting. Additionally, the Pacers will need consistent contributions from their bench to keep up with Dallas’ deep rotation.
4. Klay Thompson’s Two-Way Game
   While Thompson’s scoring remains vital, his defensive contributions against a young Pacers backcourt will be essential. His experience adds a layer of toughness to Dallas’ perimeter defense, making it more challenging for Indiana to get open looks.

Outlook

With Doncic and the Mavericks in rhythm, Indiana’s path to victory will require stellar performances from its remaining starters and bench players. The Pacers will look to Sheppard to continue his breakout play while hoping for a strong defensive showing despite their weakened lineup. However, Dallas, with its well-rounded roster and Doncic leading the charge, seems poised to capitalize on Indiana’s injury setbacks and continue its winning streak at home.