INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Pacers dropped a disappointing 125-118 decision to the New Orleans Pelicans to fall to 2-4 and now face the team that lost the NBA Finals: The Dallas Mavericks (3-2). The Pacers have been dealing with injuries, including season-ending Achilles tears to Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman. Their top perimeter defenders -- Andrew Nembhard(questionable) and Aaron Nesmith (out) -- are also hurt, making matching up with the Mavericks' Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving a potential challenge.

Doncic is averaging 27.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game but shooting just 38.7%, including 29.2% on 3s. Irving has been better, getting 24.6 points on 47.9% shooting, including 59.4 on 3s, with 5.6 assists per game. Klay Thompson is averaging 15.6 points on 38.8% 3-point shooting.

Injury Report

Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith has already been ruled out with a sprained left ankle after injuring it Friday against the Pelicans. Centers Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman are out long-term with Achilles tendon tears. Guard Andrew Nembhard is listed as questionable heading into pre-game press conferences.

Mavericks guard Dante Exum -- an IU basketball target in ancient times -- is out after right wrist surgery and forward Maxi Kleber is out with a hamstring strain.

When do the Indiana Pacers play?

9:45 p.m. ET Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

Pacers vs Mavericks prediction, picks

The Pacers have won three of their last four games against the Mavericks, and swept them last season, even though Dallas reached the NBA Finals. Coach Rick Carlisle seems to have his old team's number, and the Mavericks haven't been a particularly strong defensively. The Pacers have been able to go shot-for-shot with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Last year, in Dallas, Indiana won 137-120 in a game in which Doncic scored 39 points but scored just 11 on 4 of 13 shooting in the second half.

However, the Pacers have been hit hard by injuries out of the gate. Aaron Nesmith, who guarded Doncic for most of that game, is out (ankle). Andrew Nembhard, who helped hold Kyrie Irving to 23 points on 8 of 19 shooting, is questionable (knee). Indiana's two reserve centers, Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman, are out long term (both Achilles). How will the Pacers deal with Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II in the post?

With a full roster, the Pacers might have been able to win. But shorthanded, especially against Doncic and Irving, it will be difficult.

What channel is Pacers vs Mavericks on today?

FanDuel Sports Network , with Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analysis) and Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporting).

How to watch Pacers vs Mavericks for free on live stream

Watch games on FanDuel Sports Network and ESPN with Fubo , which offers a free trial. Watch games on TNT with Sling TV .

How to listen to Mavericks-Pacers game on radio

Pacers vs Mavericks odds

ESPN's matchup predictor gives the Mavericks a 71.6% chance of winning.

Pacers regular-season schedule 2024-25

Mon., Nov. 4, at Dallas, 9:45 p.m.

Wed., Nov. 6, vs. Orlando, 7 p.m.

Fri., Nov. 8, at Charlotte, 7 p.m.

Sun., Nov. 10, vs. New York, 5 p.m.

Wed., Nov. 13, at Orlando, 7 p.m.

*-Fri., Nov. 15, vs. Miami, 7 p.m.

Sun., Nov. 17, vs. Miami, 5 p.m.

Mon., Nov. 18, at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

Wed., Nov. 20, at Houston, 8 p.m.

Sun., Nov. 24, vs. Washington, 5 p.m.

Mon., Nov. 25, vs. New Orleans, 7 p.m.

Wed., Nov. 27, vs. Portland, 7 p.m.

*-Fri., Nov. 29, vs. Detroit, 8 p.m.

Sun., Dec. 1, at Memphis, 3:30 p.m.

*-Tue., Dec. 3, at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

Wed., Dec. 4, at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m.

Fri., Dec. 6, at Chicago, 8 p.m.

Sun., Dec. 8, vs. Charlotte, 5 p.m.

Thur., Dec. 19, at Phoenix, 9 p.m.

Sun., Dec. 22, at Sacramento, 6 p.m.

Mon., Dec. 23, at Golden State, 10 p.m.

Thur., Dec. 26, vs. Oklahoma City, 7 p.m.

Fri., Dec. 27, at Boston, 7:30 p.m.

Sun., Dec. 29, at Boston, 6 p.m.

Tue., Dec. 31, vs. Milwaukee, 3 p.m.

Thur., Jan. 2, at Miami, 7:30 p.m.

Sat., Jan. 4, vs. Phoenix, 7 p.m.

Mon., Jan. 6, at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m.

Wed., Jan. 8, vs. Chicago, 7 p.m.

Fri., Jan. 10, vs. Golden State, 7 p.m.

Sun., Jan. 12, at Cleveland, 6 p.m.

Thur., Jan. 16, at Detroit, 7 p.m.

Sat., Jan. 18, vs. Philadelphia, 5 p.m.

Wed., Jan. 29, vs. Detroit, 7 p.m.

Sat., Feb. 1, vs. Atlanta, 5 p.m.

Mon., Feb. 3, at Utah, 9 p.m.

Tue., Feb. 4, at Portland, 10 p.m.

Thur., Feb. 6, at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m.

Sat., Feb. 8, at L.A. Lakers, 4 p.m.

Wed., Feb. 12, at Washington, 7 p.m.

Thur., Feb. 20, vs. Memphis, 7 p.m.

Sun., Feb. 23, vs. L.A. Clippers, 5 p.m.

Mon., Feb. 24, vs. Denver, 7 p.m.

Wed., Feb. 26, vs. Toronto, 7 p.m.

Fri., Feb. 28, at Miami, 8 p.m.

Sun., March 2, vs. Chicago, 5 p.m.

Tue., March 4, vs. Houston, 7 p.m.

Thur., March 6, at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.

Sat., March 8, at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.

Mon., March 10, at Chicago, 8 p.m.

Fri., March 14, at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

Sat., March 15, at Milwaukee, 8 p.m.

Mon., March 17, at Minnesota, 8 p.m.

Wed., March 19, vs. Dallas, 7 p.m.

Sat., March 22, vs. Brooklyn, 5 p.m.

Mon., March 24, vs. Minnesota, 7 p.m.

Thur., March 27, at Washington, 7 p.m.

Sat., March 29, at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.

Mon., March 31, vs. Sacramento, 7 p.m.

Wed., April 2, vs. Charlotte, 7 p.m.

Fri., April 4, vs. Utah, 7 p.m.

Sun., April 6, at Denver, 8 p.m.

Tue., April 8, vs. Washington, 7 p.m.

Fri., April 11, vs. Orlando, 7 p.m.

Sun., April 13, at Cleveland, 1 p.m.