Game thread: Rockets vs. Pacers

Houston Rockets (10-3) vs. Indiana Pacers (6-7), Nov. 11, 2017, 5 p.m. CDT

Location: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN

TV: AT&T SportsNet Southwest

Radio: KBME 790 AM/KEYH 850 AM (Spanish)/KNTE 101.7 FM (Spanish)/Streaming on Rockets App

Online: Rockets App

Pacers SBNation Blog: Indy Cornrows

In two tries last season, the Rockets failed to beat the Pacers. However, this is a very different Pacers team from when we last saw them. Houston will not have to worry about Paul George, who calls Oklahoma City home now, or Rocket killer Monta Ellis, who is still looking for a home.

The Pacers are now personified as a young, rebuilding team who does not have as much talent as last season, but are still very talented nonetheless.

Leading the rebuild is center Myles Turner, who will be an interesting matchup for Clint Capela. He’s a center that can stretch the floor, shoot threes, and post up. It will be a battle down low for sure.

However, Indiana’s best player this season has been none other than Victor Oladipo, whose return to his college home state has ignited a fire in him. Oladipo is averaging 23 points per game this season and will also be someone that the Rockets need to stop.

Indiana will be going with a full, healthy squad tonight. Houston will be without Chris Paul with a knee injury and Nene is doubtful to play with an ankle injury suffered in last night’s win against Memphis. Nene rarely plays in both nights of a back-to-back and his banged-up ankle adds injury to insult. Look for Tarik Black to play his minutes.

Houston has the better team, but the fact that this team is on the second half of a back-to-back on the road against a young, scrappy Pacers squad might be cause for concern. It’s a “trap game” if you will.

Hopefully the Rockets avoid the trap and pick up their eleventh win on the season.

Enjoy the game!