Lakers vs. Pacers prediction and odds for Thursday, February 2

For what feels like two years, the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers have been presumed trade partners due to Los Angeles trying to somehow prop open a championship window with Lebron and Indiana tearing it down and selling the parts.

Yet, in 2023 both teams are 24-28 heading into this matchup. You can argue that LA has had injuries, but Indiana has been without Tyrese Haliburton for a while, but he is expected to make his return tonight.

The Lakers are 1-2 on their road trip and are working their way back west after visiting Boston, Brooklyn and New York.

Let’s get into the odds for the Lakers and Pacers in Indiana.

Lakers vs. Pacers odds, spread and total

Lakers vs. Pacers prediction and pick

The Pacers have gone 1-9 in Haliburton’s absence, so they’ll be very happy if he gets back on the court tonight. He’s probable to return. Over the 10 games without him, they are 29th in Net rating, -10.6, 26th on offense and 27th on defense. They’re quite literally the tanking team that a lot of people thought they’d be with Haliburton on the floor. Let’s take for example, December, the most recent month with their star point guard, the Pacers were 8-8, had a net rating of -1.7, were 12th in offensive rating, and 22nd on defense.

Even with his return, Indiana is a home underdog. The Lakers are playing slightly better basketball, they beat New York in OT with a Lebron triple-double, and should have beaten Boston if it wasn’t for a blown call, and some late game stupidity. With Lebron on the injury report, listed as questionable and their play being questionable even with full health, I’ll take the Pacers and be happy to get a point and a half.

Follow all Josh Yourish’s bets HERE

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.