The Indiana Pacers and Houston Rockets meet Friday in NBA action at the Toyota Center. The Indiana Pacers have won 6 of their last 8 games. The Houston Rockets have lost 6 of their last 8 games.

The Indiana Pacers are averaging 117.9 points on 46.5 percent shooting and allowing 116.8 points on 46.7 percent shooting. Tyrese Haliburton is averaging 20.6 points and 4.5 rebounds, while Bennedict Mathurin is averaging 19.9 points and 3.8 rebounds. Buddy Hield is the third double-digit scorer and Myles Turner is grabbing 8.9 rebounds. The Indiana Pacers are shooting 38.1 percent from beyond the arc and 80 percent from the free throw line. The Indiana Pacers are allowing 39.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.3 rebounds per game.

The Houston Rockets are averaging 109.1 points on 44.1 percent shooting and allowing 116.4 points on 48.1 percent shooting. Jalen Green is averaging 21.7 points and 4.3 rebounds, while Kevin Porter Jr. is averaging 19.1 points and 6.1 rebounds. Alperen Sengun is the third double-digit scorer and Eric Gordon is grabbing 2 rebounds. The Houston Rockets are shooting 35.3 percent from beyond the arc and 76.2 percent from the free throw line. The Houston Rockets are allowing 34.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.7 rebounds per game.

The Indiana Pacers aren’t a team I’m thrilled to lay chalk with, especially on the road, but there’s no excuse for them to come up short here. The Houston Rockets are worse than they were a year ago, as the defense is still horrible, and the offense isn’t producing at the same level. I’m just not eager to get behind the Rockets. It’s Pacers and the chalk or pass for me.