The Sacramento Kings play host to the Indiana Pacers in a clash of fast-paced offenses. Indy will be without Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) and the recently acquired Pascal Siakam (pending physical), but should remain competitive.

Catch the game tomorrow at 11:00 AM, Manila time.

AWAY: Indiana Pacers (23-17, 10-9 AWAY)

Projected starting five:

  • Andrew Nembhard
  • Buddy Hield
  • Ben Mathurin / Pascal Siakam
  • Obi Toppin
  • Myles Turner

After a 9-1 stretch, the Pacers have dropped back-to-back games, losing 117-109 to the Denver Nuggets and 132-105 to the Utah Jazz this past Monday and Tuesday, respectively. We’ll see if the two-day rest gets them refreshed.

Though the newly minted Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam tandem will not be unveiled, the rest of the crew should be able to provide an offense. Shot-blocking specialist and three-point threat Myles Turner (17.2 PPG, 1.9 BPG), alongside Buddy Hield, Ben Mathrin, Obi Toppin, and Aaron Nesmith, can still play fast – all are averaging double figures this season.

With their pace and talent, the Pacers are boasting the most prolific offense in the league, ranking first in points per game (125.6 PPG) and offensive rating for pretty much the entire season. They are, however, sacrificing a ton of points (123.5 PPG) on the defensive end.

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HOME: Sacramento Kings (23-17, 13-7 HOME)

Projected starting five:

  • De’Aaron Fox
  • Kevin Huerter
  • Harrison Barnes
  • Keegan Murray
  • Domantas Sabonis

The Kings will look to redeem themselves from Wednesday’s embarrassing meltdown against the Phoenix Suns, where they were in full control but suddenly got blitzed in the last five minutes, 32-8, to suffer a heartbreaking 119-117 defeat. Prior to that, they also lost to the Milwaukee Bucks, 143-142 courtesy of a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Damian Lillard.

The group is an attractive pick for tomorrow as they are simply loaded and healthy, led by De’Aaron Fox (28.0 PPG) and Domantas Sabonis (20.1 PPG, 12.7 RPG, 7.9 APG), who have two-consecutive 30-point games and back-to-back triple-doubles, respectively. 

The very capable supporting cast of Keegan Murray, Malik Monk, Harrison Barnes, and Kevin Huerter, among others, are nice as well. Any of the four can go off at any given day, with each having a game with 33 points or better this season.

Sactown scores 118.2 PPG and gives up 117.8 in return.

PREDICTIONS:

Handicap: The Kings (-7.5) don’t cover.

Over/Under: The total goes under 247.

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