The Indiana Pacers (40-30) meet the Los Angeles Lakers (31-38) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, March 19, 2018, and will air on Fox Sports Midwest – Indiana.
Los Angeles Lakers at Indiana Pacers ATS Prediction
The Lakers are trying to rebound after their 92-91 loss to the Miami Heat in their last contest. Miami’s 9.9 turnover percentage was their largest strength over Los Angeles, who had a mark of 18.9. The Heat’s mark was better than their season average of 12.9, while the Lakers’ was above their season average of 13.4. Julius Randle was Los Angeles’ high scorer with 25 points on 9-for-17 shooting.
In the Pacers’ last game, they lost to the Washington Wizards, 109-102. One of Washington’s largest advantages was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 19-23 (82.6 percent), while the Pacers were 12-15 (80.0 percent). With 25 points on 10-for-15 shooting, Lance Stephenson was the game’s leading scorer.
Los Angeles could have a tough time creating turnovers. Indiana ranks eighth in the league at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 13.3 percent), while Los Angeles forces the 18th-most turnovers (13.6 percent). It will also be a showdown of conflicting paces as the fast-paced Lakers rank first in possessions per game, while the more methodical Pacers rank 22nd.
Los Angeles holds records of 31-38 straight up (SU) and 37-32 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the O/U total of Lakers games, with 37 overs compared to 32 unders.
Meanwhile, Indiana owns records of 40-30 SU and 39-31 ATS. Games including the Pacers have typically gone under the total (58.6 percent).
Randle and Brook Lopez have played well over the last five games for Los Angeles. Randle has averaged 22.8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Not to be outdone, Lopez has recorded 23.0 points and 2.0 blocks a game during that span.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Jordan Clarkson scored a game-high 33 points and the Lakers beat the Pacers 99-86, covering as 2.5-point underdogs. He also recorded seven rebounds and seven assists. The game finished with a total of 185 points, which was 29 points below the projected point total of 214 points. Los Angeles couldn’t miss, shooting 55.0 percent from the field. Indiana, on the other hand, had a field goal percentage of 38.1.
Los Angeles Lakers at Indiana Pacers Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Lakers, ATS Winner – Lakers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Los Angeles is 18-17 ATS on the road with 20 overs and 15 unders.
Indiana is 20-16 ATS at home with 21 unders, 14 overs and 1 push.
When holding opponents under 100 points, Indiana is 25-2 and Los Angeles is 11-4.
In games where they score more than 100 points, the Pacers are 32-15 and the Lakers are 28-24.
Indiana ranks second in points off turnovers per game (18.4) while Los Angeles ranks 25th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.5).
The Pacers rank third in steals per game (8.7) while the Lakers rank 22nd in steals allowed per game (8.1).
Los Angeles ranks second in rebounds per game (46.3) while Indiana ranks 21st (42.2).
The Pacers rank fourth in fast break points per game (14.9) while the Lakers rank 22nd in fast break points allowed per game (12.5).
Los Angeles ranks second in second chance points per game (14.5) while Indiana ranks 19th (11.9).
The Pacers average 44.4 points in the paint per game, which ranks 13th in the league. The Lakers rank 29th in points allowed in the paint per game (48.6).
Los Angeles ranks 16th in three pointers attempted per game (28.7) while Indiana ranks 26th (24.5).
The Lakers average 4.8 blocks per game, which ranks 13th in the NBA. The Pacers rank 19th in blocks allowed per game (5.1).
Los Angeles ranks sixth in assists per game (23.9) while Indiana ranks 12th in assists allowed per game (22.9).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Los Angeles is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Indiana is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Lakers have outscored opponents by an average of 0.4 points in their last five games. On the season, Los Angeles has lost by an average of 1.5 points.
During their last five games, the Pacers have scored an average of 102.6 points per game (3.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 99.4 points per game (5.0 below their season average).
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