With talented third-year guard Tyrese Haliburton leading the way and rookie Ben Mathurin making key contributions, the Indiana Pacers enter this season’s home stretch still within striking distance of the Eastern Conference play-in tournament for the 2023 playoffs.
That’s a template that second-year Jalen Green, rookie Jabari Smith Jr., and the rest of the young and rebuilding Houston Rockets would love to learn from and adopt. With Thursday’s visit to Gainbridge Fieldhouse, they’ll get an up-close look.
The Rockets are likely to be short-handed. Starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. is out due to a left thigh contusion. That’s the same leg that was compromised due to the left foot contusion that cost Porter seven weeks of action over the past two months.
His absence could provide a larger role for veteran forward Jae’Sean Tate, who often functions as a primary ball-handler and facilitator for Houston’s offense when Porter isn’t on the court.