Tonight, at the Moda Center, a new era begins for the Indiana Pacers as they face the Portland Trail Blazers. Pascal Siakam will play his first-ever game for the franchise. Additionally, the team also celebrates the return of Tyrese Haliburton after his recovery from injury. The Pacers recently added Siakam to their lineup, acquiring him from the Toronto Raptors. They parted ways with Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, and three first-round picks to do so.

This game be first time the Pacers’ revamped lineup takes the court together. Moreover, it will also be Siakam’s first game while donning a different team’s jersey as he has played all his games for the Raptors so far. The Trail Blazers are currently positioned towards the bottom of their conference. However, they will aim to spoil Indiana’s fresh start as they get ready to embark on a promising new chapter.

Pacers flaunt Tyrese Haliburton and Siakam in their lineup

The Pacers are set to kick off the game with a starting lineup featuring Tyrese Haliburton, Aaron Nesmith, Buddy Hield, Pascal Siakam, and Myles Turner. While being a member of the Pacers for only a few days, Siakam is set to assume the power forward position, taking over from Jalen Smith.

On the injury list, the Pacers have Andrew Nembhard due to a thoracic spine sprain and Isaiah Jackson due to a concussion. Furthermore, James Johnson is also inactive.

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Meanwhile, the Blazers will counter with Malcolm Brogdon, Matisse Thybulle, Jerami Grant, Jabari Walker, and Deandre Ayton. They have listed out Anfernee Simons, Moses Brown, Robert Williams III, and Shaedon Sharpe from the game.

Both teams are entering the game on the back of a victory, aiming to ignite a winning streak. The Pacers secured a win against the Sacramento Kings, while the Blazers emerged victorious over the Brooklyn Nets.

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Siakam can thrive in Indiana

The Pacers have arguably acquired the most sought-after All-Star available in the market for an extended period. The addition complements the core led by Tyrese Haliburton. Siakam’s ability to excel in transition situations is expected to be a significant asset on this roster, thanks to his adept pace.

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Furthermore, the Pacers employ a free-flowing style of play that facilitates consistent drives into the paint. Despite their well-spaced offense, they lean towards a drive-heavy approach; creating scoring opportunities by attacking the rim first and then kicking the ball out when the defense collapses. Notably, Siakam stands out as a dynamic driver. He consistently figured out lanes to the rim during his time in Toronto, even in situations with less-than-ideal floor spacing.