Sports

Mavericks Face Challenging Matchup Against Pacers After Houston Loss

By Tyler Edsel

The Dallas Mavericks, who opened the season with a 128-110 defeat to the Houston Rockets, are now on the road for their next game against the Indiana Pacers. Dallas entered the game against Houston trailing by as many as 37 points but managed to bring the score closer in the second half. The Mavericks are now 0-1 on the season.

The Pacers, who won their season opener at New Orleans against the Pelicans, will be led by Tyrese Haliburton, who returned from a torn Achilles suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. Indiana also added Ivica Zubac to its roster at center, positioning the team to resemble its 2023‑24 lineup.

The matchup will take place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, with tip‑off scheduled for just after 6:10 p.m. The game can be watched on MavsTV, KFAA Channel 29, or NBA League Pass for out‑of‑market viewers.

Betting lines for the game are as follows: - Spread: Pacers –7.5 (–110) - Moneyline: Dallas +225 - Total points: 239.5 (–110/–110)

Key player bets include: - Ivica Zubac over 27.5 points and rebounds (–110) - Obi Toppin under 12.5 points (–118) - Zachary Risacher over 8.5 points (–132)

The Pacers’ home opener will feature a charged atmosphere as Haliburton plays his first home game since the 2025 NBA Finals. Dallas will need to navigate the challenges posed by Indiana’s roster and the venue.

Other games on the card include matchups such as the Boston Celtics vs. New York, the Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Orlando, and the San Antonio Spurs vs. Houston in Austin.