Winless Nets face thin Pacers with league's 29th offense

The winless Brooklyn Nets (0-5) visit the Indiana Pacers (2-4) on Sunday, November 1, at 5:00 PM ET, and the game turns on whether the league's 29th offense can reach a defense ranked 26th.

Brooklyn's problem is scoring: 103.2 points per 100 possessions, 29th in the league. The Nets also turn the ball over on 15.7% of their possessions, 29th again. Indiana's defense is 26th at 115.5, so Brooklyn faces a unit it can reach if it holds the ball.

The Pacers bring the opposite profile. Their offensive rating of 112.4 is 10th, and their turnover rate of 12.4% is sixth best. Brooklyn allows a 56.4 effective field goal percentage, 26th, which gives Indiana's shooters open looks.

Julius Randle leads Brooklyn with 21 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists a game. Michael Porter Jr. averages 1.8 steals. For Indiana, Pascal Siakam scores 22.2 a game on 51% shooting.

Indiana's injury report is long. Tyrese Haliburton, who averages 9.5 assists, is out until Friday, November 13. Ivica Zubac, the team's rebounding leader at 8.7, is out with a return listed for Monday, November 2. T.J. McConnell is also out, Obi Toppin is questionable and Aaron Nesmith is probable.

Brooklyn is without guards Egor Demin and Mikel Brown Jr., plus Ben Saraf, all out. Three more Nets are also out.

The Nets have lost five straight, including a 124-125 defeat at Boston. The Pacers have lost three in a row, the latest 145-125 at Miami. Indiana beat Brooklyn 136-109 on Sunday, October 25.

Sportsbooks' prices give Indiana a 61% chance to win. Keel's projection, built from the players available, gives the Pacers 54%.