The Pacers and Lakers meet Sunday in NBA action at the Crypto.com Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Pacers vs Lakers prediction.
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers have been in great shape as they’ve won five of their last seven games overall and they will be eager to stay hot after blowing past the Warriors in a 123-111 road win on Friday. Tyrese Haliburton led the team with 26 points, 11 assists and four steals, Pascal Siakam added 25 points, 16 rebounds and six assists, Andrew Nembhard scored 17 points with five assists while Myles Turner chipped in with 14 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks. As a team, the Pacers shot 48 percent from the field and 15 of 36 from the 3-point line as they worked their way back from an early 12-point deficit, before they made their move in the third quarter where they dominated the Warriors by 36-21 to pull away and win comfortably in the end.
Los Angeles Lakers
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers are coming into this meeting with a bit of momentum as they’ve won four of their last six games overall and they will be aiming for a third straight victory after outlasting the 76ers in a 101-94 home win on Friday. Anthony Davis led the team with 23 points, 19 rebounds and four blocks, LeBron James added 20 points with eight rebounds and six assists while Rui Hachimura and D’Angelo Russell each scored 14 points. As a team, the Lakers shot 43 percent from the field and 12 of 31 from the 3-point line, but they trailed for most of the contest and weren’t really in control until the fourth quarter where they restricted the 76ers to just 18 points to come away with the gritty win at home.
Los Angeles Lakers Team Facts
- The Lakers have won each of their last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games following a win.
- Each of the last six games between the Pacers and Lakers at Crypto.com Arena have gone UNDER the total points line.
Indiana Pacers Team Facts
- The Pacers have won four of their last five games as underdogs on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The road team has covered the spread in eight of the Pacers’ last nine games.
- Each of the Pacers’ last six road games following a road win have gone UNDER the total points line.
Pacers vs Lakers prediction
The Pacers are still shorthanded with Bennedict Mathurin still out and James Johnson considered questionable, while the Lakers are still missing Gabe Vincent with LeBron James listed as questionable. The Pacers represent decent value as the slight underdogs in this one, but the Lakers beat the Pacers back on 123-109 back on Dec 9 and I think we’re going to see a similar result here with the Lakers winning a close one at home behind big games from Davis and James.