The Los Angeles Lakers are playing their best basketball at the right time. Los Angeles, currently in the NBA Play-In Tournament at No. 9 in the Western Conference, can still play its way into one of the Western Conference’s top-6 seeds, having won five straight to move within striking distance of the No. 6 Dallas Mavericks (2.5 games back).
Can the Lakers keep that momentum as short road underdogs in Indianapolis Friday night? The Pacers wrapped up a five-game road trip with a 3-2 record and return home for four of their next five games. Indiana is currently in the No. 6 spot in the Eastern Conference and trying to avoid the NBA Play-In Tournament. The Pacers have a one-game lead over No. 7 Miami.
Indiana will try to pull away against a team that beat them just five days ago. Here’s the betting breakdown of the cross-conference matchup with a best bet.
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Lakers vs. Pacers odds, spread and total
Lakers vs. Pacers how to watch
- Date: Friday, March 29
- Game time: 7 p.m. EST
- Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
- How to watch (TV): Bally Sports
- Lakers record: 41-32
- Pacers record: 41-33
Lakers vs. Pacers injury report
Los Angeles Lakers
- LeBron James (ankle): questionable
- Anthony Davis (knee): probable
- Gabe Vincent (knee): out
Indiana Pacers
- No injuries to report
Lakers vs. Pacers key players to watch
Los Angeles Lakers
Rui Hachimura: With Anthony Davis missing Wednesday’s road win over Memphis, Hachimura came up big with a 32-point, 10-rebound double-double on 11-of-14 shooting. Hachimura, a former top-10 pick, hadn’t made multiple 3-pointers in five consecutive games but lit up the Grizzlies from downtown, going 7-of-8. He is averaging 13.1 points per game this season while shooting 53.3% from the field.
Indiana Pacers
Pascal Siakam: Indiana’s big in-season acquisition, Siakam is averaging 21.8 points per game and was coming off back-to-back 30-point nights before being stymied by Chicago’s top-tier defense. In Wednesday’s loss to the Bulls, Indiana was held under 100 points for the first time this season and Siakam went just 2-of-7 from the field, finishing with 14 points (nine from the free-throw line).
Lakers vs. Pacers prediction and pick
Just five days ago, the Lakers went toe-to-toe with the up-tempo Pacers, winning a 150-145 shootout at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles in a matchup where both teams shot over 55% from the field.
Could we see more of the same with a switch in venue? The Lakers are just 15-19 ATS on the road this season but have been the most profitable team in the NBA to the over (41-32-1), especially in away games (22-12) with a defense (No. 17 in net ranking) that doesn’t travel well.
By now, it’s no secret that Indiana plays at one of the fastest tempos (No. 2 in pace) in the NBA and averages 125.1 points per game at home. The Pacers can take advantage of a sub-par Lakers’ defense that is No. 27 in fast-break points allowed. On the offensive end, the Lakers have shot a blistering 54.8% from the field in two wins over Indiana this season and should see more success against a Pacers’ defense that is last in the NBA in opposing field goal percentage and 29th in scoring. Don’t be afraid of the sky-high total. Take the over in another shootout.
Game odds update periodically and are subject to change.