Mavericks at Pacers
Integrating Victor Oladipo back into an offense that was humming along without him is going to be a challenge for the Indiana Pacers, who are trying to find some consistency with the former All-Star back in the attack. The Pacers will try to bounce back from a rough performance when they host the Dallas Mavericks on Monday.
Oladipo hit a key 3-pointer in his first game in over a year following surgery to repair a ruptured quad tendon and Indiana went on to earn a 116-105 overtime victory over Chicago on Wednesday but were not as sharp while dropping a 92-85 home decision to the lowly New York Knicks on Saturday. "We just have to keep rolling, just stay the course," Pacers center Myles Turner told reporters. "It's that time of the year. We, obviously, have a healthy roster now so it's going to take some time to acclimate, bringing Vic back in, different types of lineups. We have time to figure it out, but we can't come with too many excuses. We have to go out there and get it done." The Mavericks limp into Indiana with several key players dealing with injuries but managed to earn a 123-100 victory over Atlanta on Saturday with Luka Doncic (ankle) and Kristaps Porzingis (rest) sitting out, giving coach Rick Carlisle his 500th win with the franchise. "I was unaware until I started hearing things about it from you (media) guys recently," Carlisle told reporters. "When you're blessed to be part of a great organization with guys like Dirk (Nowitzki) for 11 years and then know you know we've got Luka and (Porzingis) and (Tim Hardaway Jr.) and a really good young nucleus that's growing together, you got a chance to stay somewhere for a while."
TIME: 7 p.m. ET. TV: FS Southwest, FS Indiana, Sportsnet One
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (30-19): Porzingis is expected to return on Tuesday but Doncic will miss another game, leaving a spot in the starting lineup for guard Jalen Brunson. The 23-year-old Villanova product scored a season-high 27 points in Saturday's win and was part of a defensive effort that held Hawks All-Star guard Trae Young to 12 points on 4-of-13 shooting. "It's a terrific roster, very deep, a lot of versatility, a lot of flexibility," Carlisle told reporters of his team playing shorthanded. "Obviously, tonight that was very important with Luka not playing and KP out. We said before the game (the Hawks) can score in their sleep and we really have to make a stand and find a way to slow them."
ABOUT THE PACERS (31-18): Indiana is bringing Oladipo off the bench as he works himself back into game shape and he is struggling with his shooting form, going 2-of-8 in his debut on Wednesday before slumping to 2-of-14 in 22 minutes on Saturday. "We're still trying to figure each other out," Oladipo told reporters after the loss. "Obviously, I'm still trying to get my rhythm. I've been out a year, so coming off the bench, playing limited minutes, is new so I have to get used to that and just get used to the flow of the game again." All-Star power forward Domantas Sabonis (25 points on 10-of-15 shooting) and Turner (12 points, 4-of-5) were the only players to score in double figures for the Pacers on Saturday.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Pacers SF T.J. Warren suffered a head injury on Saturday and is questionable.
2. Mavericks G Seth Curry left Saturday's game with tightness in his right knee and is day-to-day.
3. The home team took each of the two meetings last season.