The Indiana Pacers look to make a statement to the rest of the Eastern Conference that they are here to stay as they travel to face the floundering Houston Rockets.
The Rockets are in the rebuilding phase of their franchise. There are some building blocks in place. The Indiana Pacers are competing now and have veterans who want to make a run at the playoffs. Who wins out in this one?
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Indiana Pacers vs. Houston Rockets Details
Fixture: Indiana Pacers @ Houston Rockets
Date and Time: Friday, November 18, 8:00 PM ET
Venue: Toyota Center, Houston Texas
Indiana Pacers vs. Houston Rockets Injury Report
The Houston Rockets face more question marks regarding their injury report than their counterpart Indiana Pacers.
For the Pacers, it's simple. Chris Duarte will be out of action for quite some time. Duarte sprained his ankle badly and was given a four-to-six-week timeframe before returning to action.
The Houston Rockets will be without their interior presence in Bruno Fernando, who remains out due to an injured knee. Jae'Sean Tate has become a do-it-all type of player for the Rockets, but he will miss this one with an ankle injury.
Kevin Porter Jr. enters this contest as questionable with an injured back. Backs can be frustrating as they can flare up at any time, and you don't want to rush back to reaggravate the injury. For now, we expect Porter Jr. to suit up, but keep an eye on the injury report leading up to game time and pivot if necessary.
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Indiana Pacers vs. Houston Rockets Injury Report
Indiana Pacers vs. Houston Rockets Betting Odds & Spreads
Indiana Pacers vs. Houston Rockets Starting 5s
Pacers- PG Tyrese Haliburton, SG Andrew Nembhard, SF Buddy Hield, PF Jalen Smith, C Myles Turner
Rocket- PG Kevin Porter Jr., SG Jalen Green, SF Eric Gordon, PF Jabari Smith Jr., C Alperen Sengun
Indiana Pacers vs. Houston Rockets Betting Prediction
The Indiana Pacers are too much for the Houston Rockets. I know the Rockets will welcome playing at home as they have been tested on the road significantly throughout the 2022 season. I also recognize that the Rockets are developing a perennial All-Star talent in Jalen Green.
The youngster is special, no doubt about that. The Pacers are a veteran group looking to take that next step into legitimate contenders in the Eastern Conference. PG Tyrese Haliburton will take over and control this game in the 2nd half.
The Packers pull away late and Cover.
Prediction: Indiana Pacers -5 (-115) (O/U 236.5, -110)
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