[7:00 PM] Mavericks @ Pacers

Who will WIN this matchup?

Dallas Mavericks (0-0)

@ Indiana Pacers (0-0)

 

Current odds:

Dallas Mavericks: (+190)

Indiana Pacers: (-230)

 

• ESPN simulations have Dallas as XX% favorites to win the game.

• XX% of sports bets are currently on Indiana to win as (TBD) underdogs.

• The line for this game is Pacers by 5.5 points.

• If there is a team in the Eastern Conference capable of challenging the Cleveland Cavaliers for supremacy, it might be the Indiana Pacers. The 2016-17 Pacers will begin trying to prove themselves when they open the regular season by hosting the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.

• Dallas is trying to extend its window to compete for a championship while Dirk Nowitzki, 38, is still a useful player and Barnes, 24, is the player expected to bridge the Nowitzki era with the future. Barnes was signed to a four-year, $95 million deal in the offseason despite shooting 38.5 percent from the field in the playoffs with the Warriors last spring, including 5-for-32 in the final three games of the NBA Finals as Golden State watched a 3-1 lead in the series slip away. Barnes will have a familiar face next to him in Bogut and another in new shooting guard Seth Curry, the brother of Warriors superstar Stephen Curry, who was signed to a two-year deal worth nearly $6 million.

• Jefferson, 31, battled injuries last season and suffered through his worst statistical campaign since 2005-06 by averaging 12 points and 6.4 rebounds in 47 games for the Charlotte Hornets. Indiana is hoping Jefferson can stay healthy and productive while coming off the bench and tutoring Turner, 20, who averaged 10.3 points and 5.5 rebounds in 22.8 minutes during his 2015-16 rookie campaign. Turner will get a much bigger role in McMillan’s offense and is healthy heading into the season after missing time in training camp in the NBA’s concussion protocol.

• The Pacers took both meetings last season, including a 107-81 triumph at home on Dec. 16, and are riding a four-game winning streak in the series.

• Dallas G Devin Harris (foot) is not expected to play on Wednesday.

• Indiana SF C.J. Miles (knee) will not need surgery and is expected to be available for the opener.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Indiana Pacers

Confidence: 5/10

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