The Pacers were left in awe watching the Damian Lillard show in their last encounter with the Blazers. Now that Dame isn’t in the picture, they’re licking their chops for a payback.

HOME TEAM: Indiana Pacers (34-24, 20-10 at home)

The Pacers come in having won three of their last four games. On Wednesday, they gave up their fewest points of the season by demolishing the Charlotte Hornets, 119-80. It was also the second time all year that they beat the Hornets by 20-plus points and held them to under 34% shooting.

It’s just what the Pacers need as they gear up for the visiting Blazers. They lost in the first meeting, 139-129, as the supposed sixth-ranked defense had no answer for Damian Lillard, who dropped 50 points.

All-Star Domantas Sabonis had a triple double of 27 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists in that game, and he’ll be the number one guy once again. TJ Warren was quiet in the high-scoring affair, scoring 14 points on 5-for-13 shooting, so he ought to come out with better energy. Malcolm Brogdon, meanwhile, missed that contest with an injury, and should look to make up for the absence.

ROAD TEAM: Portland Trail Blazers (26-33, 10-20 on the road)

The Blazers will be in their fourth straight game without Damian Lillard, who’s nursing a groin injury. They have gone 1-2 since the All-Star scoring machine went down.

CJ McCollum will continue taking the reins while his backcourt partner is out. He has been prolific thus far, averaging 32.7 points and 10.7 assists in his last three. He scored 28 points and knocked down six three-pointers in the aforementioned win over Indy weeks back.

Carmelo Anthony is the number two man. The 16-year veteran had 20 and 32 points in the first two games without Dame, but dipped to just 14 points on 5-for-14 shooting against the stout Boston Celtics defense on Wednesday.

Automatic double-double Hassan Whiteside (15.9 PPG, 14.2 RPG, 3.1 BPG) will be in an interesting match-up with Sabonis and Myles Turner. He had 21 points, 14 boards, and six blocks in his last outing against the Pacers.

PREDICTION:

The Pacers are at home, they are healthy, and the Blazers have lost four in a row on the road while allowing 123.2 PPG. Indy should be able to win this game, 116-108.