After facing off against two of the NBA's last three MVPs on Friday night in Houston, the Pacers (7-5) return home to face the league's reigning MVP on the second night of a back-to-back.
Indiana held Russell Westbrook, the 2016-17 MVP, to just 5-of-21 shooting on Friday, but unfortunately for the Blue & Gold, the Rockets also have James Harden. The 2017-18 MVP continued his recent tear, scoring 44 points — going 13-for-26 from the field, 6-for-14 from 3-point range, and 12-for-14 from the free throw line — to lead Houston to a 111-102 victory.
The task doesn't get any easier for the Pacers, who now have to face Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks (8-3) for the first time this season.