by Tony East
The Indiana Pacers will host the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night for their first game of the 2023-24 season against a Western Conference opponent. Both teams enter Monday at 3-3.
The Spurs are playing on a back-to-back and lost to the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. Indiana will hope to take advantage of their rest edge and climb back over .500 tonight.
Viewing and Betting Information
Tip off time: 7 p.m. Eastern Time
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
Where to watch: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Indiana, Bally Sports+, Bally Sports Southwest
Spread and Over/Under: The Pacers are heavy favorites as they are currently -8.5 in the SI Sportsbook. The over/under for the game is 238.5.
Pacers vs Spurs Injury Report
The Pacers are healthy and are currently only listing their two-way contract players — Kendall Brown, Oscar Tshiebwe, and Isaiah Wong — as questionable due to their contract status.
The Spurs are playing on the second night of a back to back, so they have not yet released an injury report. They were without Charles Bediako, Sir’Jabari Rice, and Devin Vassell yesterday.
Key Matchup
Obi Toppin vs Victor Wembanyama: Wembanyama is a rookie sensation, and his size makes him a mismatch every night. He is averaging 20.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.
He starts alongside Zach Collins, meaning he is usually playing at the power forward spot. If that is the case tonight (this is the Spurs first back-to-back this season, so Wembanyama’s status is currently unknown) then Toppin will likely get the task of defending him thanks to his size alone. The other Pacers starters are too short, and Myles Turner will need to handle Collins.
Toppin will need to be at his best on both ends of the floor to keep up in this matchup. Drawing fouls and forcing turnovers will be key.