Pacers vs. Hawks Preview: The core of the Hawks is absent, and the Pacers strive for their first win of the season.

The NBA Cup welcomes the first game day of competition. Compared with the regular season, the NBA Cup counts the regular season results, and also sets high bonuses. In addition, the point difference is also very important. The intensity of the game is higher than that of the ordinary regular season.

As the runner-up in last season's finals, the Pacers lost their core inside player Turner during the offseason, and their backcourt core Haliburton was reimbursed for the season due to injury. The team had a very bad start, losing to the Thunder, Grizzlies, Timberwolves and Mavericks one after another, suffering a 4-game losing streak, and is currently one of the only 3 teams with 0 wins. The Pacers averaged 113.3 points per game, ranking second from the bottom in the Eastern Conference, and conceded an average of 122.5 points per game, ranking 10th in the Eastern Conference. The team's performance on both ends of the offense and defense was not good.

The Pacers were plagued by serious injuries, and at one time 8 players were unable to play. Siakam averaged 26.3 points, 11 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game. His personal performance was impeccable. Marcelin averaged 31 points and 7 rebounds per game, but only played two games due to injury. Toppin, Dennis, Walker and Nesmith also averaged double figures.

The Hawks made a lot of moves during the offseason, signing Porzingis, Alexander Walker, Kennard, Husten and many other strong players. The team's internal and external strength has been improved. However, the Hawks' performance at the beginning was average, with only a record of 2 wins and 3 losses. After narrowly defeating the Nets in the last game, they ended their two-game losing streak. The Hawks averaged 113.8 points per game, ranking third from the bottom in the Eastern Conference. They averaged 120.4 points per game, ranking ninth in the Eastern Conference. The points scored and lost were basically the same as the Pacers.

Jalen Johnson is the team's leading scorer, averaging 20.5 points, 7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Porzingis averaged 20.3 points and 5 rebounds per game. Trae Young averaged 17.8 points and 7.8 assists per game. He was injured in the last game against the Nets. Alexander Walker and Okongwu also averaged more than 15 points per game, and the team's lineup is very deep.

In the last 10 matches between the two teams, the Pacers had the upper hand with 6 wins and 4 losses. However, in the 4 matches last season, the Eagles had the advantage with 3 wins and 1 loss. In terms of injuries, six of the Pacers' Haliburton, Cam Jones, McConnell, Toppin, Marcelin, and Nembhard are absent, and Furfe and Tyrann Peter are doubtful. Hawks core Trae Young is absent.