Pacers vs. Bulls: Game thread, lineups, TV info and more

The Pacers try to back up their win in the home opener with a W in their first roadie up I-65 in Chicago on Saturday night.

The Pacers used the second half against the Knicks to find their sweet spot at both ends of the floor, which didn’t include many spots from behind the arc, and develop some confidence in what Nate Brjorkgren is asking of the team this year. If they can find the range from 3-land, the potential of the Pacers will continue to rise.

The Pacers swept the young Bulls last season which was among the reasons the Bulls made a coaching change and brought in Billy Donovan. The improved results didn’t show up in the opener after the Hawks ran all over the Bulls, 124-104. Lauri Markkanen led the Bulls with 21 points on 4 of 6 from behind the arc. The rest of the team shot about as well as the Pacer in the opener, making just 4 of 29 from deep.

This is the first of back-to-back games with the Celtics coming to the Fieldhouse on Sunday evening. Bjorkgren plans to focus on Chicago and deal with the B2B when the first game is over, which means he doesn’t plan to manage Victor Oladipo or T.J. Warren with an eye toward Sunday.

Where: United Center, Chicago, IL

When: 8:00 p.m. ET

TV: FOX Sports Indiana

Radio: 107.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan

Projected Starting Lineups:

Pacers: Malcolm Brogdon, Victor Oladipo, T.J. Warren, Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner

Bulls: Coby White, Zach LaVine, Parick Williams, Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter, Jr.

Injury update:

IND: Jeremy Lamb (knee) - out, Brian Bowen II (groin) - out, Goga Bitadze (ankle) - out

CHI: Thaddeus Young (leg infection) - out

Enemy view: Blog A Bull

Please leave your thoughts and observations on the game in the comments.