The Dallas Mavericks have found a new center of gravity: whenever Cooper Flagg has the ball, the game seems to tilt his way. On Monday night, Nov. 9, that rising young star and the Mavericks welcome the Indiana Pacers to Dallas for an 8 p.m. EST regular-season clash. Dallas stood at 5-4 through Saturday, while Indiana was 3-7, but this matchup still has plenty of spark. Both teams want to turn smart passing and athletic finishing into a season-changing run.

Flagg is the main character for Dallas. The 6-foot-9 forward has scored 23.9 points per game while also grabbing rebounds, setting up teammates, and making 2.3 steals per night. A steal means taking the ball away from an opponent, and Flagg uses his quick hands to start fast breaks. He can charge toward the rim, find an open teammate, or defend several kinds of players. Dallas is building its future around that all-around energy.

Kyrie Irving gives Flagg an expert partner in the backcourt. Irving averages 21.4 points and can use clever dribbles to create difficult shots. His 90.5 percent free-throw shooting also makes him a calm choice when every point matters late. The Mavericks have scored 112.1 points per game, and their 25.9 assists show that the ball often keeps moving instead of stopping with one player.

Still, Dallas must solve a big problem near the basket. Center Dereck Lively II is out with a foot injury, removing a player known for blocking shots and finishing close to the rim. The Mavericks have a rebounding edge over Indiana, 44.6 to 42.1 per game, but they will need veterans P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford to protect that edge. Dallas also commits nearly 16 turnovers per game. Loose passes could give Indiana the running room it loves.

That is where the Pacers enter the story. Indiana leads this matchup in assists, with 27 per game, a sign of a team that looks for the extra pass. Pascal Siakam is the steady scorer available to lead the attack. He averages 21.4 points and shoots 51.7 percent from the field by using strength, footwork, and drives to find space. Andrew Nembhard adds 17.8 points and seven assists, plus a sharp 40.8 percent mark from three-point range. If Dallas sends extra defenders at Siakam, Nembhard can make them pay from outside.

Indiana will be without Tyrese Haliburton, however, as he recovers from a hamstring injury. His 9.5 assists per game show how much he can lift the Pacers’ pace and passing. T.J. McConnell is questionable with a hamstring issue, so Nembhard may carry even more of the playmaking load. The Pacers arrive after a loss in Denver, while Dallas gained momentum by beating Utah on Friday.

Indiana can make this close by sharing the ball and attacking before Dallas sets its defense. Yet Flagg and Irving give the home team two powerful creators, and Dallas has shown more balance through nine games. Prediction: the Mavericks win behind Flagg’s all-around impact and a timely scoring burst from Irving.

Cooper Flagg Leads Dallas Into a Fast-Paced Pacers Challenge