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Game Preview
Just nine games remain on the Indiana Pacers’ regular season schedule, and next up is a midweek matchup in the Windy City.
On Wednesday, the Pacers (41-32) will wrap up a five-game road trip when they take on the Chicago Bulls (34-37) at United Center. The Pacers are 3-1 on their current road trip, and have won six of their last seven away games overall.
Both Central Division teams need wins as the Eastern Conference standings tighten.
As of Tuesday morning, the Pacers remained in sixth place in the East, while the Bulls sat in ninth. The Blue & Gold were one game above the Miami Heat for the finali automatic playoff spot and two behind the fifth-place Orlando Magic (42-29).
The top six teams at the end of the regular season advance directly to the playoffs, while the teams that finish seventh through 10th must compete in the Play-In Tournament for the last two playoff spots.
PLAYOFF PICTURE: Track the Latest Standings, Potential Matchups, and More >>
The first three matchups between the Bulls and Pacers have all been decided by four points or fewer, including a 132-129 overtime win by Chicago on March 13 in Indianapolis. In three games played between them, the Bulls own a 2-1 season series lead over the Pacers.
Indiana enters the matchup after splitting back-to-back games in Los Angeles against the Lakers and Clippers. Against the Clippers on Monday, the Pacers posted a 133-116 win at Crypto.com Arena, bouncing back from a five-point loss to the Lakers on Sunday.
Indiana never trailed in the second half against the Clippers, and the Blue & Gold shot an outstanding 58.1 percent (60.7 from 3-point range) in the game. Pascal Siakam scored 31 points to lead the Pacers, Myles Turner finished with 24 points and seven rebounds, and Tyrese Haliburton logged 21 points and nine assists.
Siakam has recently played some of his best basketball since joining the team. He has posted at least 25 points in five of his last six outings, including 36- and 31-point performances in Los Angeles.
The Bulls come into Wednesday night losers of three straight games, including dropping a 107-105 contest to the Washington Wizards (14-58) on Monday.
DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 27 points, and fellow guard Coby White chipped in 22 as the team shot just 41.4 percent from the field and were out rebounded 52-46.
DeRozan has scored at least 20 points in his last three games against the Pacers, including a 46-point outing on March 13.
Indiana will host the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday after taking on Chicago. The Pacers have five home games remaining on their schedule.
Projected Starters
Pacers: G - Tyrese Haliburton, G - Andrew Nembhard, F - Ben Sheppard, F - Pascal Siakam, C - Myles Turner
Bulls: G - Coby White, G - Ayo Dosunmu, F - Alex Caruso, F - DeMar DeRozan, C - Nikola Vucevic
Injury Report
Pacers: T.J. McConnell - questionable (sore left ankle), Aaron Nesmith - questionable (bruised right knee), Bennedict Mathurin - out (right shoulder labral tear)
Bulls: Alex Caruso - questionable (left ankle sprain), Lonzo Ball - out (left knee surgery), Zach LaVine - out (right midfoot surgery), Julian Phillips - out (right foot sprain), Patrick Williams - out (left midfoot surgery)
Last Meeting
March 13, 2024: Chicago Bulls guard DeMar DeRozan scored a season-high 46 points on 15-for-24 shooting in a 132-129 overtime win over the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
With the Bulls trailing by three points with 3.8 seconds left in regulation, DeRozan split free throw attempts – but Chicago got possession after the Pacers swatted the loose ball out of bounds. Off the inbound, DeRozan swished a 19-foot baseline fadeaway at the buzzer to send the game into extra minutes.
DeRozan then scored his team’s first eight points in the period before the visitors hung on for the win. Indiana had an opportunity to tie the game in the waning seconds but couldn’t convert a three before the buzzer in extra time.
Six players scored in double figures for the Bulls, with Alex Caruso (23 points) and Ayo Dosunmu (20 points) following up DeRozan.
Pacers center Myles Turner led the Blue & Gold with 27 points, including five 3-pointers, Tyrese Haliburton logged 17 points and 14 assists, and Pascal Sikaam notched 17 points and nine rebounds.
Chicago outshot Indiana 52.2 to 46.5 percent but made 10 threes to the Pacers’ 14 treys. The Bulls won the rebounding margin 48-47 but had 12 turnovers to the Pacers’ nine giveaways.
Noteworthy
TV: Bally Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (studio host)
Tickets
After a five-game road trip, the Pacers will return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to host LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, March 29 at 7:00 PM ET. Find Tickets >>
Game Preview
Just nine games remain on the Indiana Pacers’ regular season schedule, and next up is a midweek matchup in the Windy City.
On Wednesday, the Pacers (41-32) will wrap up a five-game road trip when they take on the Chicago Bulls (34-37) at United Center. The Pacers are 3-1 on their current road trip, and have won six of their last seven away games overall.
Both Central Division teams need wins as the Eastern Conference standings tighten.
As of Tuesday morning, the Pacers remained in sixth place in the East, while the Bulls sat in ninth. The Blue & Gold were one game above the Miami Heat for the finali automatic playoff spot and two behind the fifth-place Orlando Magic (42-29).
The top six teams at the end of the regular season advance directly to the playoffs, while the teams that finish seventh through 10th must compete in the Play-In Tournament for the last two playoff spots.
PLAYOFF PICTURE: Track the Latest Standings, Potential Matchups, and More >>
The first three matchups between the Bulls and Pacers have all been decided by four points or fewer, including a 132-129 overtime win by Chicago on March 13 in Indianapolis. In three games played between them, the Bulls own a 2-1 season series lead over the Pacers.
Indiana enters the matchup after splitting back-to-back games in Los Angeles against the Lakers and Clippers. Against the Clippers on Monday, the Pacers posted a 133-116 win at Crypto.com Arena, bouncing back from a five-point loss to the Lakers on Sunday.
Indiana never trailed in the second half against the Clippers, and the Blue & Gold shot an outstanding 58.1 percent (60.7 from 3-point range) in the game. Pascal Siakam scored 31 points to lead the Pacers, Myles Turner finished with 24 points and seven rebounds, and Tyrese Haliburton logged 21 points and nine assists.
Siakam has recently played some of his best basketball since joining the team. He has posted at least 25 points in five of his last six outings, including 36- and 31-point performances in Los Angeles.
The Bulls come into Wednesday night losers of three straight games, including dropping a 107-105 contest to the Washington Wizards (14-58) on Monday.
DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 27 points, and fellow guard Coby White chipped in 22 as the team shot just 41.4 percent from the field and were out rebounded 52-46.
DeRozan has scored at least 20 points in his last three games against the Pacers, including a 46-point outing on March 13.
Indiana will host the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday after taking on Chicago. The Pacers have five home games remaining on their schedule.
Projected Starters
Pacers: G - Tyrese Haliburton, G - Andrew Nembhard, F - Ben Sheppard, F - Pascal Siakam, C - Myles Turner
Bulls: G - Coby White, G - Ayo Dosunmu, F - Alex Caruso, F - DeMar DeRozan, C - Nikola Vucevic
Injury Report
Pacers: T.J. McConnell - questionable (sore left ankle), Aaron Nesmith - questionable (bruised right knee), Bennedict Mathurin - out (right shoulder labral tear)
Bulls: Alex Caruso - questionable (left ankle sprain), Lonzo Ball - out (left knee surgery), Zach LaVine - out (right midfoot surgery), Julian Phillips - out (right foot sprain), Patrick Williams - out (left midfoot surgery)
Last Meeting
March 13, 2024: Chicago Bulls guard DeMar DeRozan scored a season-high 46 points on 15-for-24 shooting in a 132-129 overtime win over the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
With the Bulls trailing by three points with 3.8 seconds left in regulation, DeRozan split free throw attempts – but Chicago got possession after the Pacers swatted the loose ball out of bounds. Off the inbound, DeRozan swished a 19-foot baseline fadeaway at the buzzer to send the game into extra minutes.
DeRozan then scored his team’s first eight points in the period before the visitors hung on for the win. Indiana had an opportunity to tie the game in the waning seconds but couldn’t convert a three before the buzzer in extra time.
Six players scored in double figures for the Bulls, with Alex Caruso (23 points) and Ayo Dosunmu (20 points) following up DeRozan.
Pacers center Myles Turner led the Blue & Gold with 27 points, including five 3-pointers, Tyrese Haliburton logged 17 points and 14 assists, and Pascal Sikaam notched 17 points and nine rebounds.
Chicago outshot Indiana 52.2 to 46.5 percent but made 10 threes to the Pacers’ 14 treys. The Bulls won the rebounding margin 48-47 but had 12 turnovers to the Pacers’ nine giveaways.
Noteworthy
- Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle has 937 career wins, one behind the legendary Red Auerbach for 12th place on the NBA's all-time list.
- Chicago has won two of their last three season series against Indiana.
- Pacers rookie Ben Sheppard earned the first start of his career on Monday after Aaron Nesmith was ruled out due to a right knee bruise.
TV: Bally Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (studio host)
Tickets
After a five-game road trip, the Pacers will return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to host LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, March 29 at 7:00 PM ET. Find Tickets >>
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