The Los Angeles Lakers (11-9) meet the Indiana Pacers (13-8) at the Staples Center. The game is scheduled to get underway at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 29, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 215.5 points with Los Angeles opening as a 5-point favorite.
Indiana Pacers at Los Angeles Lakers ATS Prediction
In the Pacers’ last contest, they covered the 2.5-point spread against the Phoenix Suns, 109-104. The total points for the game (213) finished under the projected point total of 217. One of Indiana’s biggest advantages was getting to the free throw line. They had 29 free throw attempts, 11 more than Phoenix. Domantas Sabonis had a solid performance for Indiana, putting up 21 points and 16 rebounds.
The Lakers were blown out by the Denver Nuggets in their last outing, 117-85. They failed to cover as 3-point underdogs. The game’s total points (202) finished well under the O/U total of 219. Denver won the rebounding battle. The Nuggets had more offensive rebounds (16 vs. eight), defensive rebounds (44 vs. 31) and total rebounds (60 vs. 39). With 21 points on 9-for-15 shooting, Kyle Kuzma was the top scorer from either team.
It will be a matchup of conflicting tempos as the up-tempo Lakers (ranked fourth in the NBA in possessions per game) will look to push the more grind-it-out Pacers (27th in possessions per game). Moreover, the Pacers, who rank 28th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.169), could have a tough time getting to the line against the Lakers, who rank fourth in opponents’ FTA rate (0.180).
Indiana heads into the game with records of 13-8 straight up (SU) and 10-10-1 against the spread (ATS). Just over half of the Pacers’ games have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles owns records of 11-9 SU and 7-13 ATS. Of the Lakers’ 20 games, 12 have finished under the O/U total.
Sabonis and Bojan Bogdanovic have played at a high level over the last five games for Indiana. Sabonis has averaged 15 points,11.4 rebounds,5.4 assists per game. Not to be outdone, Bogdanovic has put up 20 points a game during that span.
After splitting two games last season, these teams will clash for the first time this year. In the last game, the Pacers won 110-100. The Pacers had a much better turnover percentage (5.9 vs. 11.9) and had a better free throw rate (0.207 vs. 0.186).
Pacers vs. Lakers Pick
NBA Tip: SU Winner – Pacers, ATS Winner – Pacers, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Indiana is 5-5-1 ATS on the road with 7 overs and 4 unders.
At home, Los Angeles is 3-7 ATS with 6 unders and 4 overs.
When allowing under 100 points, Indiana is 6-1 and Los Angeles is 3-0.
When reaching the century mark, the Lakers are 10-8 and the Pacers are 11-4.
Indiana ranks first in points allowed in the paint per game (40.5) while Los Angeles ranks 28th (52.3).
The Pacers average 21.0 points off turnovers per game, which ranks second in the league. The Lakers rank 24th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.4).
Indiana ranks fourth in rebounds allowed per game (41.6) while Los Angeles ranks 25th (47.2).
The Lakers rank second in blocks per game (6.5) while the Pacers rank 20th in blocks allowed per game (5.8).
Indiana ranks first in second chance points allowed per game (10.3) while Los Angeles ranks 19th (13.8).
The Lakers average 20.05 fast break points per game, which ranks 2 in the NBA. The Pacers rank 16 in fast break points allowed per game (13.80952380952381).
Indiana ranks 3 in steals per game (9.095238095238095) while Los Angeles ranks 14 in steals allowed per game (7.65).
The Lakers rank 21 in three pointers attempted per game (29.7) while the Pacers rank 28 (25.095238095238095).
Indiana ranks 12 in assists per game (24.19047619047619) while Los Angeles ranks 16 in assists allowed per game (23.75).
Bettings Trends:
Over its last five games, Indiana is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Los Angeles is 2-3 ATS with 5 unders over its last five games.
The Pacers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.2, up from 4.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Lakers have scored an average of 100.2 points per game (12.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 102.0 points per game (10.9 below their season average).
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