The Pacers will likely have to contend with a crowd that will be rooting for the Spurs in both games. With Victor Wembanyama playing in his home country, most fans will be rooting for him and San Antonio. Indiana still feels good about their chances to win both games. They have been playing too well not to be filled with a ton of confidence.

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Haliburton and the Pacers are currently in France for a two-game series. They will be taking on the San Antonio Spurs in Paris. Both games will be the only games that either team will play this week due to the travel. The first game is on Thursday and the second game is on Saturday.

Fans from at least 53 countries have bought tickets for the Spurs-Pacers games in Paris, a record for any league event.

Spurs: Mitch Johnson (acting). Pacers: Rick Carlisle. Spurs: Points, Wembanyama (24.4 per game). Rebounds, Wembanyama (10.8). Assists, Paul (8.2). Steals, Paul (1.3). Blocks, Wembanyama (4.0). Pacers: Points, Siakam (20.1 per game). Rebounds, Siakam (7.3). Assists, Haliburton (8.8). Steals, Haliburton (1.3). Blocks, Turner (2.0).

The NBA is set to return to Paris with the Spurs facing the Pacers on January 23. Get the latest predictions, odds, and insights for the exciting Paris Games 2025 matchup.

The main events start Thursday when Wembanyama and the Spurs take on the Indiana Pacers in the first of two games in Paris. The rematch is Saturday, both happening at Accor Arena, the same building where Wembanyama played in the knockout round of the Paris Olympics last summer when he and France wound up losing to the U.S. in the gold-medal game.

Indiana's Rick Carlisle has coached more games against San Antonio's Gregg Popovich than anyone else. They've had 87 head-to-head matchups, including playoffs.