The Los Angeles Lakers will host the Indiana Pacers at the Staples Center tonight with the tip-off scheduled for 10:30 PM ET. The young Los Angeles Lakers team will look to snap a 5-game losing streak, while the Indiana Pacers are on a hot streak coming off a 106-100 win over the Sacramento Kings.
NBA Odds:
Line: Indiana Pacers -3 (-141)
Total: Under 220.5 (-101)
The Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers (22-19) used a second half rally to overcome the double digits deficit and take down the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center on Wednesday night. Paul George scored 24 points and Jeff Teague recorded his ninth double-double of the season scoring 22 points and dishing out 11 assists lifting the Pacers to a 106-100 win over the Kings. It was the Pacers 7th win out of their last 8 games.
With such a red-hot streak, the Pacers will try to take down the struggling Lakers team, as they continue their three game road trip across the Western Conference. With 105.8 points per game, the Pacers are ranked at the 13 spot in the league, while one the other side of the court, they are allowing 106.6 points per game. They are averaging 46% from the field and 37% from the 3-point line.
Paul George continues to be the vocal figure on offense, averaging 22.0 points per game, along with 6.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Jeff Teague is leading the team with 9 double-double, but he is also scoring 15.8 points per game in 32.0 minutes of action. In addition, Teague is dishing out 8.0 assists per game and 4.1 rebounds per contest. Rodney Stuckey remains sidelined for the Pacers and will certainly miss the game against the Lakers with a hamstring injury.
The Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers (15-31) are continuing their struggles, extending their losing streak to 5 games on Tuesday night when they slipped once again, this time to the Denver Nuggets with 121-127 at the Staples Center. Despite the fact that Lou Williams scored 24 points and 5 more purple&gold players scored in double figures, the Lakers were unable to prevent their 5th consecutive loss. The Lakers are now 3-7 in January and looking at their schedule, I don’t see many opportunities to improve that record.
They will, however, play one more game at home before they hit road where they will go against the Mavericks, Jazz and Trail Blazers. Entering the contest against the Pacers, the Lakers are averaging 104.7 points per game and allowing 110.5 points to their opponents (26th). They are also shooting 45% from the field and 35% from the 3-point line.
The Lakers posses a versatile young and talented team on which any player could go off and score 20+ points, but their main problem remains their consistency and leadership. Julius Randle seems like the guy who could grow into a leader considering his all-around game that has him scoring 13.2 points per game, 8.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists per contest in less than 30 minutes of action. Jordan Clarkson and Lou Williams are scoring 14.0 and 17.8 points each while D’Angelo Russell is dishing out team high 4.6 assists per game.
Forward Larry Nance Jr. and Luol Deng will miss the game because of their injuries.
Indiana Pacers vs Los Angeles Lakers Game Trends and Prediction
The Indiana Pacers are 18-23 ATS overall and 24-17 against the over/under. The Pacers are 5-2 ATS and 5-2 against the over/under in January.
The LA Lakers are 19-26-1 ATS and 26-19-1 against the over/under. The Lakers are also 3-7 ATS and 6-4 against the over/under in the month of January.
The Pacers hosted the Lakers at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse back on November 1st and recorded a 115-108 win. I like the Pacers current form and their odds as the hit the Staples Center court, which is why I am picking the -141 on the Pacers victory. In their past 5 meeting, the Over has been hit only once, so I am following the trends and going with the Under in this one as well!!!
My Pick: -3 Indiana Pacers @ -141
Total: Under 220.5 @ -101
