MMBets: Dallas finds themselves in a tough spot against Indiana

DALLAS, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 04: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks embrace after the game at American Airlines Center on November 04, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this p

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What is the story about?

After an equal parts defeating yet somewhat inspiring128-110 loss to the Houston Rockets, the Dallas Mavericks (0-1) remain on the road as they are set to square off against the Indiana Pacers (1-0). The Mavs found themselves down by as many as 37 points against Houston on Wednesday, before somewhat reeling Houston back in throughout the second half.

Indiana, for their part, snagged a road win to start the year in New Orleans against the Pelicans. Tyrese Haliburton made his return from the torn achilles

he suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals and picked up right where he left off. This Pacers team, now with Ivica Zubac in the fold at center, figures to be right back where they were two seasons ago. It will be a tall task for Dallas to get this one home.

Game intangibles

Dallas Mavericks (0-1) at Indiana Pacers (1-0)

Tipoff: We’re set for tip just after 6:10 p.m. from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana

How to watch: MavsTV, KFAA Channel 29, or NBA League Pass for those out of market will have you covered on this one

Game lines

Odds via the Fanduel Sportsbook and are subject to change

Spread: Pacers -7.5 (-110)

Moneyline: Dallas is +225 to pull off the upset

Total: Over/Under is set at 239.5 points (-110/-110)

Game plays

Indiana -7.5 (-110)
Ivica Zubac over 27.5 points + rebounds (-110)
Obi Toppin under 12.5 points (-118)
Zaccharie Risacher over 8.5 points (-132)

This is an awful spot for the Mavericks to walk into. This is the Pacers home opener, and it will be a very charged up atmosphere with Tyrese Haliburton playing his first home game since Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals. I just don’t know how Dallas finds a way here, especially given Rick Carlisle’s voodoo magic he holds over the Mavs. Ivica Zubac has a wonderful matchup here against Daniel Gafford, who simply doesn’t rebound the ball at all. I also would like to fade Obi Toppin, who scored 20 off the bench against the Pelicans on great shooting. Finally, maybe in that second half of the Houston game, Risacher found something. I’ll go over the point total here.