Chicago @ Indiana preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 11, 2019 ) Chicago 87, Indiana 105

The Indiana Pacers seek a third straight win following three consecutive losses to start the season when they host the Chicago Bulls on Sunday in the finale of a two-game homestand. The Pacers were the last team in the Eastern Conference to break into the win column with a triumph over Brooklyn on Wednesday and they followed that up with Friday's 102-95 victory over Cleveland to begin the homestand.

Malcolm Brogdon scored 25 points and Indiana survived a sluggish start and some woeful outside shooting (5-for-27 from 3-point range) with a solid effort on the glass and defensive end. "We haven't won a rebounding game all season long, and they dominated us the last game with 12 offensive rebounds," Pacers coach Nate McMillan told reporters after his team gained a 57-46 advantage in the rebounding department. "Tonight, we dominated the boards." The Bulls are also trying to dig out of an early hole and they were able to snap a three-game slide with a 112-106 win over Detroit on Friday at home. Indiana swept last season's four matchups and it has won six consecutive meetings at home.

TV: 5 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS Indiana

ABOUT THE BULLS (2-4): Zach LaVine scored 26 points in Friday's win, including back-to-back 3-pointers late in the fourth quarter to give his team the lead for good. "Somebody's got to step up to the plate," LaVine, who averages 21.2 points, told reporters. "I think I'm that dude." Otto Porter Jr. chipped in a season-high 22 points and is averaging 18.5 over his last two games after being held to single digits in his first four contests.

ABOUT THE PACERS (2-3): With center Myles Turner (ankle) out and fill-in T.J. Leaf (scoreless in eight minutes) not providing much, Indiana received some solid production from rookie big man Goga Bitadze, who had 10 points, nine rebounds and four blocks in 25 minutes. "Nate told me when the season started that I have to be ready anytime," Bitadze told reporters. "It's a long season, and whenever the team needs me, I've got to be ready and need to step up." Guard Jeremy Lamb added 21 points and is averaging 23 in two games since returning from a hip injury.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Bulls F Chandler Hutchison (hamstring) will travel with the team and could make his season debut.

2. Pacers F Domantas Sabonis recorded 18 points and 17 rebounds Friday for his third double-double.

3. LaVine averaged 29 points over his last two games versus Indiana.

PREDICTION: Pacers 106, Bulls 100