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NBA PicksFri 7:00 PM ET
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NBA · Dallas Mavericks at Indiana Pacers

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Dallas vs Indiana consensus picks

Dallas Mavericks36%
64%Indiana Pacers
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Dallas Mavericks vs Indiana Pacers Predictions Today

Game time: October 23, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET

Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse — Indianapolis, IN

Article updated Oct 23, 7:19 AM EDT

By SportsJaw Editorial Team

The Indiana Pacers will beat the Dallas Mavericks, with a projected score of Pacers 123, Mavericks 115. Indiana's opening-game transition production matches up favorably with Dallas' turnover problems, while confirmed Mavericks absences strengthen the home side's case. Pacers -6 (-111) is the strongest wager at the supplied price, with medium confidence. The total of 238 is a Pass.

Dallas Mavericks vs Indiana Pacers prediction and best bet

Indiana -6 (-111) is the best bet because the clearest matchup advantage involves how these teams handled transition opportunities in their openers. The Pacers outscored New Orleans 27-10 on the break. Dallas surrendered 29 fast-break points to Houston and committed 21 turnovers that produced 32 opponent points.

Those results suggest a route for Indiana to build separation without relying entirely on difficult shots against a set defense. Tyrese Haliburton's productive return strengthens that forecast, while Dallas will be without Dereck Lively II and Santi Aldama. One game is a small sample, and improved Dallas ball security could narrow the margin considerably. The pick carries medium confidence.

Odds, game time and how to watch

Game: Dallas visits Indiana on Friday, October 23, 2026, in the 2026-27 NBA season. Tipoff is 7 p.m. ET.

Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis.

Records: Dallas Mavericks 0-0; Indiana Pacers 0-0.

SportsJaw odds: Dallas Mavericks +7.5 (-110); Indiana Pacers -7.5 (-110). Moneyline: Dallas Mavericks +222; Indiana Pacers -265. Total: Over 240 (-110); Under 240 (-110).

SportsJaw moneyline: Dallas +190; Indiana -225.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Picks are opinions, not guarantees. Past results do not predict future outcomes.

SportsJaw total: Over 238 (-110); Under 238 (-110). These prices frame separate decisions: Indiana can win without covering six points, and either side can cover in a game that finishes above or below 238.

Dallas Mavericks outlook

Dallas' priority is keeping its possessions from becoming immediate scoring opportunities for Indiana. The 21 turnovers against Houston were costly enough on their own; the resulting 32 opponent points show how severely those mistakes affected the opener. Against a Pacers team coming off 27 fast-break points, another loose offensive performance would make covering even with six points difficult.

The Mavericks also have straightforward opportunities to improve their scoring. They shot 11-for-37 from three-point range and 17-for-26 at the foul line against Houston. Better conversion would help Dallas stay within reach, but a rebound in accuracy is a possibility rather than something to assume. Protecting the ball would give the Mavericks more chances to benefit from any shooting improvement.

The NBA's 7 a.m. ET injury report lists Lively out following right-foot surgery and Aldama out following right-knee surgery. Caleb Martin is out with a right-thumb sprain, and Tarik Biberovic is out with right-heel bursitis. Jett Howard is doubtful with right-calf tightness and soreness. Those absences reduce Dallas' personnel options. Lively's absence is particularly relevant to the interior matchup after Ivica Zubac collected 15 rebounds in Indiana's opener.

Indiana Pacers outlook

Haliburton gave Indiana an encouraging opening performance after missing the entire 2025-26 season following a right-Achilles rupture. He played nearly 34 minutes against New Orleans, producing 23 points and 12 assists. His 13 fourth-quarter points and two go-ahead baskets in the final two minutes also supplied the late offense needed to finish a close game.

Indiana received substantial scoring from several teammates. Pascal Siakam scored 30 points, Obi Toppin added 20, Andrew Nembhard scored 18, and Zubac finished with 16 points and 15 rebounds. That distribution supports the forecast: Dallas must account for several scoring threats while navigating its own absences. Zubac's rebounding is another reason to favor Indiana, although one strong performance is no guarantee of controlling this game's glass.

There are limits to the optimism. Indiana allowed 120 points and won by only three, so the opener offered a clearer argument for its offense than for a comfortable six-point cover. The official injury report lists T.J. McConnell and Johnny Furphy out. Aaron Nesmith is questionable with a left-hamstring strain, and Ben Sheppard is questionable with left-knee soreness. Their availability adds uncertainty to Indiana's perimeter rotation and keeps the spread recommendation below high confidence.

Key matchup factors

Ball security matters more here than assuming either opener will repeat. Fewer Dallas turnovers would remove one of Indiana's clearest routes to easy points. Conversely, continued mistakes could let the Pacers pressure the spread even if their shooting fluctuates.

SportsJaw's blended spread consensus favors Indiana -6 (-111) at 66%. Its combined equivalent sample assigns Indiana 399 of 605 selections, combining modeled sportsbook participation with SportsJaw participation rather than counting observed sportsbook tickets. Community support and qualified-handicapper support are each 60%. The spread snapshot reports a nine-percentage-point move toward Indiana since October 22. That agreement supports the direction of the pick, but it is neither a win probability nor proof that laying six offers value.

Dallas Mavericks vs Indiana Pacers spread prediction

Recommend Indiana Pacers -6 (-111). The projected eight-point margin offers a modest cushion over the supplied spread. The case rests on Indiana's transition production, Haliburton's successful opener and Dallas' confirmed absences.

Dallas +6 (-102) becomes attractive if the Mavericks sharply reduce their giveaways and improve their shooting. Indiana's three-point opening win also warns against treating offensive production as automatic separation. Still, the matchup favors the Pacers enough to lay six at -111. This is an ordinary, medium-confidence edge, with Dallas' potential improvement the principal risk.

Dallas Mavericks vs Indiana Pacers total prediction

Pass on Over 238 (-110) and Under 238 (-110). The forecast totals exactly 238, leaving no projected cushion in either direction. Indiana's 123-120 opener and Dallas' turnover problems suggest scoring upside, but improved ball security could reduce transition opportunities.

SportsJaw's blended total consensus favors Under 238 (-110) at 53%. Community members and qualified handicappers each favor the Under at 67%, while the sportsbook split is 50%. That difference in sentiment supplies no compelling scoring advantage. Neither direction merits a wager at the supplied price.

Dallas Mavericks vs Indiana Pacers projected score

Game forecast: Pacers 123, Mavericks 115. Indiana's opening transition performance and Haliburton's 23-point, 12-assist return provide the strongest reasons to expect a home win. Dallas' missing frontcourt personnel adds to the concern about containing Zubac and handling Indiana's varied scoring options.

The strongest counterargument is that Dallas can improve substantially without a dramatic tactical change: fewer turnovers and better conversion would make this a closer contest. Indiana also conceded 120 points in its opener and has unresolved perimeter availability. Those concerns keep confidence at medium. Indiana Pacers -6 (-111) is the single official SportsJaw wager; the total of 238 remains a Pass.

SportsJawGame Predictions
Predicted score

Mavericks115

Pacers123

Projected winner Indiana PacersConfidencemedium
Pick on the Spread

Published pick: Spread: Indiana Pacers -6 (-111)

Pick on the Total

Published pick: Pass (article line changed)

Sources

  • Axios IndianapolisPacers prepare for an emotional Haliburton homecoming
  • ESPN 1530 / iHeartMavericks vs. Pacers Injury Report – Oct. 23
  • NBA OfficialInjury Report: 10/23/26 07:00 AM

SportsJaw Mavericks vs Pacers game preview analysis and predictions incorporate current odds, injury reports, team statistics and market data. Information is updated regularly, but lines and player availability can change. Please confirm current information before wagering. View history of past Mavericks vs Pacers matchups or learn how our predictions work.

Current matchup data

Lines, trends and availability

Crowd vs qualified handicappers

Spread crowd
Indiana Pacers -7.5 (-110) · 67%
Spread qualified handicappers
Indiana Pacers -7.5 (-110) · 60%
Total crowd
Under 240 (-110) · 67%
Total qualified handicappers
Under 240 (-110) · 67%
Qualified handicappers need at least 20 graded picks and a 52.5% win rate. A market needs at least three current qualified picks. Selection share is not a win probability.

Line movement since open

  • Moneyline · Dallas Mavericks+176 → +222Moved
  • Moneyline · Indiana Pacers-210 → -265Moved
  • Spread · Dallas Mavericks+6.5 (-117) → +7.5 (-110)Moved
  • Spread · Indiana Pacers-6.5 (-104) → -7.5 (-110)Moved
  • Total · Over235.5 (-108) → 240 (-110)Moved
  • Total · Under235.5 (-117) → 240 (-110)Moved

ATS and O/U trends

Dallas Mavericks
0-0 matchup record · 5-5-0 ATS · 7-3-0 O/U
Last 10 completed games on file
Indiana Pacers
0-0 matchup record · 6-3-1 ATS · 8-2-0 O/U
Last 10 completed games on file

Injuries and availability

From the published research (2026-10-23T11:19:10.215Z). Availability may have changed; review the cited sources.

The NBA's 7 a.m. ET injury report lists Lively out following right-foot surgery and Aldama out following right-knee surgery. Caleb Martin is out with a right-thumb sprain, and Tarik Biberovic is out with right-heel bursitis. Jett Howard is doubtful with right-calf tightness and soreness. Those absences reduce Dallas' personnel options. Lively's absence is particularly relevant to the interior matchup after Ivica Zubac collected 15 rebounds in Indiana's opener.

There are limits to the optimism. Indiana allowed 120 points and won by only three, so the opener offered a clearer argument for its offense than for a comfortable six-point cover. The official injury report lists T.J. McConnell and Johnny Furphy out. Aaron Nesmith is questionable with a left-hamstring strain, and Ben Sheppard is questionable with left-knee soreness. Their availability adds uncertainty to Indiana's perimeter rotation and keeps the spread recommendation below high confidence.

Recent head-to-head

  • 2026-02-22Dallas Mavericks 134 · Indiana Pacers 130
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