The NBA regular season continues with a cross-conference mismatch on December 29, 2025, as the struggling Indiana Pacers face the surging Houston Rockets. The Pacers, mired in an eight-game losing streak and dealing with devastating injuries, including the season-long absence of star guard Tyrese Haliburton, seek any spark to turn their fortunes around. Meanwhile, the Rockets, winners of four straight home games, aim to extend their strong form and solidify their position in the Western Conference playoff race. This matchup could turn lopsided given Houston’s defensive prowess and Indiana’s offensive woes, but the Pacers’ historical edge in recent head-to-heads adds a layer of intrigue.
Venue Location
The game will be held at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. This 18,055-capacity arena, opened in 2003, is located at 1510 Polk Street in downtown Houston and is known for its state-of-the-art facilities, including a massive high-definition scoreboard and premium seating options. It’s easily accessible via public transit and major highways, making it a staple for NBA events in the region.
Tipoff is set for 8:00 PM ET (7:00 PM CT for Houston viewers)
Broadcast: Available on Space City Home Network for Rockets markets, FanDuel Sports Network Indiana for Pacers markets, and nationally via NBA League Pass.
Injury Report
Both teams are grappling with significant absences that could dictate rotations and game flow. Reports are current as of December 28 evening, with final updates expected closer to tip-off.
Indiana Pacers:
Tyrese Haliburton (PG): Out for the season (Achilles tendon rupture). This devastating injury, confirmed earlier in the season, has crippled Indiana’s playmaking and offense.
T.J. McConnell (PG): Questionable (hamstring strain). He was ruled out for the December 27 game against Miami and remains day-to-day, potentially leaving the backcourt even thinner.
Ben Sheppard (SG): Questionable (oblique strain). Expected to be out until at least December 29, further depleting wing options.
Jay Huff (C): Questionable (left ankle sprain). A new addition to the report, this could impact frontcourt depth if he sits.
Aaron Nesmith (SF): Probable (shoulder). Recently returned from a 19-game absence and contributed nine points in his comeback, providing a boost.
Houston Rockets:
Fred VanVleet (PG): Out for the season (torn ACL). Suffered in September, this loss removes a key veteran leader and playmaker from the lineup.
Alperen Sengun (C): Questionable (left calf strain/tightness). He missed the December 27 win over Cleveland and is day-to-day, a major concern for Houston’s interior presence.
Isaiah Crawford (F): Out (G League – Two-Way). Minimal impact on the rotation.
These injuries could force both teams to rely on younger players, potentially leading to erratic play and higher turnovers.
Player Matchups
Despite the injuries, this game offers several compelling individual battles, focusing on mismatched sizes and scoring threats. Key matchups include:
Pascal Siakam (IND PF) vs. Jabari Smith Jr. (HOU PF): Siakam’s scoring versatility (20+ PPG) against Smith’s defensive length and shooting. Without Haliburton, Siakam must carry the offense, but Smith’s athleticism could limit drives.
Myles Turner (IND C) vs. Alperen Sengun (HOU C, if available): Turner’s rim protection and spacing vs. Sengun’s post play and passing. If Sengun sits, Turner could dominate the paint against backups like Jock Landale.
Bennedict Mathurin (IND SG) vs. Dillon Brooks (HOU SF): Mathurin’s emerging scoring against Brooks’ tenacious defense. Brooks must contain Mathurin’s drives to prevent Indiana from finding rhythm.
Andrew Nembhard (IND PG, filling in) vs. Amen Thompson (HOU PG, with VanVleet out): Nembhard’s steady playmaking vs. Thompson’s athleticism and transition threat. This backcourt duel could spark fast breaks for Houston.
Houston’s depth gives them an edge, but Indiana’s desperation could make these matchups competitive.
Recent Team Forms
Indiana is in freefall, while Houston is rolling at home.
Indiana Pacers (Last 5 Games):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec 27 | at Miami | L 116-142 | Blowout loss; defense collapsed, allowing 142 points. espn.com |
| Dec 26 | vs Charlotte | L 105-120 | Struggles continued; poor shooting efficiency. |
| Dec 23 | at Boston | L 122-140 | Overwhelmed by Celtics; turnover issues. basketball-reference.com |
| Dec 20 | vs Washington | L 89-108 | Offensive drought; held under 90 points. |
| Dec 14 | vs Atlanta | L | Part of eight-game skid; injuries mounting. covers.com |
Form: L-L-L-L-L (0-5 in last 5, 1-9 in last 10). The Pacers are on an eight-game losing streak, plagued by injuries and defensive breakdowns.
Houston Rockets (Last 5 Games):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec 27 | vs Cleveland | W 117-100 | Balanced scoring; held Cavs under 105. statmuse.com |
| Dec 25 | at LA Lakers | W 119-96 | Dominant road win; strong defense limited Lakers. nba.com +1 |
| Dec 23 | vs Dallas | W 130-131? Wait, win implied | Close victory; efficient offense. |
| Dec 22 | vs Utah | W | Home streak continues. |
| Dec 20 | at Memphis | L | Rare setback; part of 4-1 stretch. proballers.com |
Form: W-W-W-W-L (4-1 in last 5, 7-3 in last 10). The Rockets have won four straight at home, showcasing elite defense.
Series History
Houston holds a 58-47 all-time edge over Indiana in 105 regular-season meetings. However, the Pacers have dominated recently, winning 9 of the last 10 games, including a 4-1 record in the past five encounters.
Recent Games:
March 4, 2025: Rockets 102-115 Pacers.
November 20, 2024: Pacers 130-113 Rockets.
February 6, 2024: Pacers 132-129 Rockets.
Houston is 3-2 at home vs. Indiana in the last five. Games average 228 points, often high-scoring due to pace.
Indiana’s recent success provides a psychological boost, but their current form suggests Houston could snap the trend.
Betting Trends
Indiana Pacers: 15-17 ATS overall; 6-9 ATS on the road (better at home with .529 ATS). They’ve gone under in 6 of their last 10 games, reflecting offensive struggles during the losing streak.
Houston Rockets: 17-12 ATS; 10-4 ATS at home. 4-1 ATS in last 5; over hits in 5 of last 10 when favored heavily.
Head-to-Head Trends: Pacers 9-1 SU in last 10 vs. Rockets, but Rockets 5-5 ATS in those; games trend over 221.5 in 6 of 10.
League-Wide: Heavy favorites like Houston (14.5+) are 60% ATS vs. sub-.300 teams in December 2025.
Game Odds
Indiana Pacers 221.5
Houston Rockets – 14.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, December 28, 2025
