8 points, 9 seconds
Fansided

Road Warriors: We Meet Again, Lance

By Jesse Smith

INDIANAPOLIS - MARCH 2: Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Reggie Miller #31 of the Indiana Pacers look on during a game played on March 2, 1997 at Market Square Garden in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1997 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS - MARCH 2: Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Reggie Miller #31 of the Indiana Pacers look on during a game played on March 2, 1997 at Market Square Garden in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1997 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Road Warriors series will be highlighting the Indiana Pacers road trips and how they have fared historically in opposing arenas. This time, the team will extend their west coast trip to the City of Angels.

The Indiana Pacers are coming off two consecutive victories on the road against the Jazz and Suns on a back to back.  The Pacers were once again without Victor Oladipo and are 3-2 without him (effectively 4-2 since he only played five minutes in his most recent game).  After a day off, they will head to Los Angeles to see LeBron James and a familiar face in Lance Stephenson.

The last game, against the Suns, was a showcase of the Pacers young core in Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis.  Both players finished with a double-double for the first time together since Sabonis joined the Pacers last season.  The Pacers certainly hope that kind of production becomes a consistent part of their respective games.

Doug McDermott has busted out of his early-season slump with back-to-back 21 point games.  His offensive explosion comes as a welcome sign for an at-times anemic bench offense.

Moving forward, the Pacers will look to improve on an unfavorable record against the Lakers.

According to Land of Basketball, this will be the 89th regular season meeting between the two teams.  The Lakers have absolutely dominated with a 59-29 record overall.  If things weren’t bad enough, the Pacers record in Los Angeles is 9-36 in throughout franchise history.

Staples Center is a very hostile environment, but the Pacers seem to enjoy the spotlight.  Last season was an 86-99 loss during a tough west coast trip for the blue and gold with Oladipo leading the way with 25 points.  The Pacers were without Turner.  Lance Stephenson shot an abysmal 1-of-12 from the field in 16 minutes of game-time.

The Lakers (11-9, 7th in the West) picked up a fella by the name of LeBron James, who has shown no signs of slowing down thus far.  James is currently leading the team in points, rebounds, assists, and steals.  It would appear to be Cleveland all over again, but at least he’s having fun, right? Kyle Kuzma is starting to score more consistently and his averaging 16.7 points per game.  Lonzo Ball is questionable with an ankle injury and is on a “wait and see” status.

Stephenson was signed this summer after the Pacers let him walk and has shot 43 percent from the floor to start the season.  I fully expect him to give every ounce of effort in this game after taking objection to Kevin Pritchard’s comments.  Whether that effort translates to actual in-game execution remains the great mystery of Lance Stephenson.  While his energy is undeniable, Indiana Pacers fans blind and otherwise toxic love for him shielded many of his shortcomings as a player.

With Oladipo possibly out, it is going to be very tough for the Pacers to match the superstar level that LeBron brings to every game.  He is the great equalizer, as Pacers fans have seen time and time again.  Without Victor and given the team’s history of struggles in the Staples Center, it is hard to predict a victory with confidence.

Prediction: Lakers win 111-104, LeBron is just too much to handle, again.

Next. The Pacers play against Lance Stephenson for the first time in years. dark

What’s in Town?

I mean…it’s Los Angeles.  If you can’t find something to do there I can’t really help you.  If you need help choosing, I highly recommend the Santa Monica Pier for food, games, and sunsets.  It’s free to walk around on and one of my favorite places to go.  Concert-wise, Wiz Khalifa will be performing at the Belasco Theater.  If you stick around until Saturday, the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Festival will be in town.  Acts include Cardi B, Shawn Mendes, Calvin Harris, Dua Lupa, among others.

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