Biggest X-Factors For Pacers to Upset Mavericks in Rematch

The Indiana Pacers will be taking on the Dallas Mavericks tonight for the second time this season, giving the team a chance for some redemption.

Indiana fell short against Dallas in the first meeting by a score of 121-105 in their home opener earlier this season. Since then, the two teams have gone in different directions, with the Pacers struggling heavily.

The Pacers will enter this game against the Mavericks with a record of 3-7 on the season, with the team losing its last contest. Indiana has gone 3-2 on the road this season, offering some level of confidence entering the game.

As for Dallas, they will be coming into the game with a record of 6-4 on the season, with the team having won two straight. The Mavericks have gone 4-2 at home this year, and this team is looking to get back to the playoffs.

With all the injuries that Indiana has seen this season, taking down Dallas tonight could be tough. But here are three keys to the game for the Pacers to pull off the upset: 

1. Pascal Siakam Sets The Tone

With Tyrese Haliburton still out, the Pacers will turn to star Pascal Siakam to lead them forward. Siakam has done well for Indiana so far this season, but the Pacers will need a strong showing tonight from him.

On the year, the veteran has averaged 21.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 0.9 steals per game. If Siakam can set the tone early on for this team, Indiana could grab the upset win.

2. Can Pacers Slow Down Cooper Flagg?

In his second season in the NBA, Flagg has started to emerge as a top player in the league for the Mavericks. Any team facing Dallas has to make sure that they contain Flagg, avoiding him being the reason why the Mavericks win.

Tonight, the Pacers will have their hands full trying to defend Flagg, with him also having Kyrie Irving to help him. Indiana will have to rely on its defense in this game, especially with all the injuries that the team has seen this season so far.

3. Ivica Zubac Steps Up

Zubac's play this season has been fairly underwhelming so far, with the big man struggling a little. To his credit, he did miss a few games due to injury, but the Pacers need more from him going forward.

Against the Mavericks, the Pacers need Zubac to step up, giving them the dominant big man that they thought they were getting last season. Zubac has averaged just 7.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 0.6 blocks per game.