Dallas is lottery-bound. We know that. We also know the Mavericks are the lowest-scoring team in the NBA.

But the Mavericks still have a number of prideful veterans who are not injured - Wesley Matthews, Deron Williams and Harrison Barnes - and they will be motivated to perform at a high level at home here following an embarrassing 120-89 loss to the Kings two days ago.

Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle held a team meeting immediately following that game. Carlisle told reporters that the Mavericks' play in the second half of that loss was inexcusable.

Now the Mavericks have a chance to make amends against the Pacers, who are 3-7 SU and ATS on the road and playing their fifth consecutive road game. The Pacers are off a 109-94 victory against the Suns on Wednesday. Indiana is 2-8 ATS following a victory. The Pacers could be distracted, too, returning home immediately following this matchup to host Portland on Saturday.

The Pacers rank 25th defensively so points shouldn't come so hard for the Mavericks. It's a big drop down in class, too, for the Mavericks. During their last nine games, the Mavericks had had to play the Spurs twice, Clippers, Cavaliers, Hornets twice and Bulls.