The Indiana Pacers are set to face the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night as they attempt to end a five-game losing streak on the road. This matchup marks the second meeting of the season between these two teams, with the Pacers having won the first encounter 116-105 on December 9.
Currently, the Kings sit at 10-22 on their home court, while the Pacers struggle with a record of 5-27 away from home. The Pacers, with a record of 15-49, rank 15th in the Eastern Conference, while the Kings are at 15-50, also occupying the 15th spot but in the Western Conference.
In terms of performance, the Pacers have been yielding an average of 120.0 points per game to their opponents, which contributes to their negative point differential of 8.6 points per game. Conversely, the Kings manage to score only 110.6 points per game, which is significantly lower than what the Pacers allow.
Despite their struggles, the Pacers excel in three-point shooting, averaging 12.9 made shots from beyond the arc per game. They need to capitalize on this strength, especially since the Kings are the lowest-performing team in the Western Conference with a three-point shooting percentage of 33.5.
Highlighting the individual performances, Russell Westbrook leads the Kings with an average of 15.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game. On the other hand, Andrew Nembhard is a standout player for the Pacers, averaging 17.1 points and 7.4 assists. Additionally, Jarace Walker has shown strong offensive and defensive capabilities, averaging 15.8 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 44.4% over his last ten games.
In their last ten games, the Kings have recorded a 3-7 record, scoring an average of 111.5 points per game while allowing their opponents to score 123.9 points. The Pacers have faced even tougher challenges, with a dismal 1-9 record during that stretch, averaging 113.2 points but conceding 126.9 points to their adversaries.
Injury concerns also loom large for both teams. The Kings will be without Domantas Sabonis (back), Dylan Cardwell (ankle), De”Andre Hunter (eye), and Keegan Murray (ankle), while DeMar DeRozan is listed as day-to-day due to illness. The Pacers will miss T.J. McConnell (hamstring) and Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles), among others.
As the Pacers look to reverse their fortunes on the road, this game against the Kings could be pivotal in rebuilding their confidence as they strive for a better finish to the season.
