Brooklyn has enough forward scoring to make this an exchange of runs. Indiana's starting creators can still take control through the middle quarters. The final margin depends on whether the Nets keep producing after Indiana's first response.
Randle and Porter have carried the Brooklyn attack in both league games, with Demin adding another route at Cleveland. Indiana conceded heavily in the opening halves of its first two games, so Brooklyn's forwards can reach useful spots before the Pacers settle. Haliburton, Nembhard and Siakam give Indiana a strong answer, but Brooklyn has already shown it can compress a large gap late.
Brown played at Cleveland but is set to sit under his ankle return plan, shifting reserve handling to Demin and Ellis. McConnell missed Indiana's last game, while its starting guards played substantial minutes. I expect Brooklyn's current scoring routes to keep the final gap within reach even if Indiana leads. That's why I'm siding with the Nets to stay close.
