Indiana @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 3, 2019 ) Chicago 95, Indiana 108

The Indiana Pacers seek their seventh straight win over the Chicago Bulls when the teams meet Friday in the Windy City. With point guard Malcolm Brogdon missing seven of the last eight games - including four straight - the Pacers have hit a rough patch and are 3-6 in their last nine contests.

Wednesday's 122-108 loss to the Miami Heat saw Indiana fall behind by 28 points through the first three quarters in an embarrassing effort in front of its home fans. "Just collectively as a unit, they controlled this game from the start," Pacers coach Nate McMillan told reporters of the Heat. The Bulls are mired in their longest losing streak of the season at five games, the latest a 123-108 setback at New Orleans on Wednesday. Zach LaVine scored 32 points for Chicago, which made 12-of-21 foul shots and was beaten on the boards by a 50-39 margin.

TIME: 8 p.m. ET. TV: FS Indiana, NBCS Chicago

ABOUT THE PACERS (23-15): Domantas Sabonis finished with 27 points and 14 rebounds in the loss to the Heat, but his fellow starters combined for 39 points on 14-of-39 shooting. T.J. Warren had just three points before being ejected in the third quarter. One bright spot was the play of backup point guard Edmond Sumner, who finished with a season-high 13 points in 19 minutes off the bench.

ABOUT THE BULLS (13-25): Third quarters have been an issue all season for Chicago, which is last in the Eastern Conference with an average scoring margin of minus-2.5 in that period. It was much worse than that at New Orleans, where the Pelicans broke things open with a 44-27 advantage in the third. "We've got to be men about it. It is basketball. It is a game of runs," guard Kris Dunn told reporters of the third-quarter issues. "Things happen and you have to be able to withstand it and fight through adversity."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Chicago's last win in the series was Dec. 29, 2017.

2. Pacers All-Star SG Victor Oladipo (knee) confirmed to reporters that he intends to make his season debut against the Bulls on Jan. 29 at home.

3. Warren scored 26 points on 10-of-16 shooting to lead Indiana to a 108-95 victory in the first meeting this season.

PREDICTION: Pacers 111, Bulls 107