Last Updated: Nov. 26 at 1:15 p.m.
Matchup
After an impressive road win on Monday night in Dallas, the Pacers (6-8) will look to pick up another win in Texas on Wednesday night in San Antonio. But it won't be an easy task. The defending NBA champion Spurs (9-4) have won four straight and seven of their last eight.
The balanced Spurs attack features five players with double-digit scoring averages and another five who contribute at least six points per game. Tony Parker leads the way with 16.8 points and 5.2 assists per game. Reigning NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard adds 13.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, while 38-year-old Tim Duncan is still averaging a double-double (13.4 points and 10.6 rebounds).
As good as the Spurs are offensively, their defense has carried them in the early parts of this season. Opponents are averaging just 91.3 points per game against San Antonio, the lowest average in the entire league.
The injury-riddled Pacers have struggled to score in the early part of this season, though they are coming off their best offensive performance of the year, scoring 111 points and draining 13-of-26 attempts from 3-point range on Monday night in Dallas. Prior to Monday, the Pacers had not reached 100 points since Opening Night — a span of 12 straight games.
All-Star center Roy Hibbert will miss a second straight game Wednesday after spraining his left ankle in Saturday's loss to Phoenix and missed Monday's contest against Dallas. He was ruled out for Wednesday's game following the team's shootaround.
Indiana did, however, regain the services of forward C.J. Miles on Monday night. Miles had missed seven of the last eight games with migraine symptoms and then a strained calf. The veteran scored six points in 17 minutes on 2-for-7 shooting on Monday night.
Projected Starters
Donald Sloan
Rodney Stuckey
Solomon Hill
Luis Scola
Ian Mahinmi
Tony Parker
Danny Green
Kawhi Leonard
Tim Duncan
Boris Diaw
Pacers: PG - Donald Sloan, SG - Rodney Stuckey, SF - Solomon Hill, PF - Luis Scola, C - Ian Mahinmi
Spurs: PG - Tony Parker, SG - Danny Green, SF - Kawhi Leonard, PF - Tim Duncan, C - Boris Diaw
Injury Report
Pacers: Paul George - out (rehabilitation, fractured right tibia/fibula), George Hill - out (left knee contusion), C.J. Watson - out (bruised right foot), David West - out (sprained right ankle), Roy Hibbert - out (sprained left ankle)
Spurs: Patty Mills - out (right shoulder surgery), Tiago Splitter - out (tightness, right calf), Cory Joseph - doubtful (sprained left ankle), Matt Bonner - probable (stomach virus)
Last Meeting
March 31, 2014: The Spurs set a franchise record with their 18th consecutive win, cruising to a 103-77 victory over the Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Tony Parker led the way with 22 points, while Kawhi Leonard recorded a double-double (13 points and 11 rebounds). Paul George led Indiana with 16 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
Noteworthy
- Indiana snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Spurs and a 12-game road losing streak in the series with a 111-100 victory last December in San Antonio. The victory marked the first win over the Spurs since April 1, 2007 and their first win in San Antonio since Jan. 4, 2002.
- The Pacers have won just five of their last 27 games against the Spurs dating back to the 2000-01 season.
- The Spurs' trio of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker has won 506 games together, second-most all-time. They trail only the Celtics trio of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish, who compiled 540 wins as teammates.
- Spurs forward Jeff Ayres played for the Pacers for two seasons from 2011-13. At the time, he was known as Jeff Pendergraph.
- Both Pacers center Ian Mahinmi and guard George Hill began their NBA careers in San Antonio. Mahinmi played for the Spurs from 2007-10, while Hill was there from 2008-11.
Broadcast Information
TV: FOX Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 107.5/1070 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Pat Boylan (studio host)