Brooklyn @ Indiana preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 14, 2018 ) Indiana 108, Brooklyn 103

Caris LeVert is looking like a breakout candidate for the Brooklyn Nets, who aim for their second straight win when they begin a three-game road trip at the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. A third-year pro out of Michigan, LeVert had some nice moments through his first two seasons but he's entered 2018-19 in very impressive fashion.

After posting 27 points in a season-opening loss at Detroit on Wednesday, the 24-year-old capped a career-high 28-point effort with the decisive basket with one second left in a 107-105 win over the New York Knicks on Friday. "[Coach Kenny Atkinson] had a lot of confidence to go back to me tonight and I just wanted to come through," LeVert told reporters after the win. The Pacers rolled to a 28-point win at home against Memphis to begin the season before falling 118-101 at Milwaukee on Friday. Doug McDermott hit 4-of-6 3-pointers but the rest of the Indiana roster was a combined 2-for-12 from the arc in the setback.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, YES (Brooklyn), FS Indiana

ABOUT THE NETS (1-1): LeVert, who shot 43.5 percent from the floor last season, is 18-for-31 through the first two games. Big man Jarrett Allen came on strong in the second half of 2017-18 and has opened this season with back-to-back double-doubles, including 15 points and 17 rebounds -- to go along with his second straight game with four blocked shots -- on Friday. Forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was out for the opener with a groin injury and missed the game against the Knicks after welcoming a baby boy.

ABOUT THE PACERS (1-1): Coach Nate McMillan was not pleased with his team's inability to defend the 3-point line, as Milwaukee was 17-of-47 from beyond the arc, and he found his players too sloppy on the other end. "We didn't show up defensively and offensively just way too many turnovers," he told reporters. "You're not going to win games with 17, 18 turnovers. It's not preseason. Its over. Preseason's over. Gotta be sharper with the ball." Victor Oladipo, who averaged 27.8 points in four games against Brooklyn last season, scored a team-high 25 points in Friday's loss.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pacers PF Damantas Sabonis has 28 rebounds through the first two games.

2. Nets F Treveon Graham left Friday's win with a hamstring strain and is day-to-day.

3. Indiana has won seven straight meetings and six in a row at home.

PREDICTION: Pacers 105, Nets 99