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The Indiana Pacers continue their four game road trip with a visit to Staples Center for a showdown with the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday 11/29/18.
The Pacers have won two in a row heading to this contest while the Lakers are losers of their last two games played. This is the first game of a four game homestand for the Purple and Gold who hope to get their winning form back.
Playing Without ‘Dipo
The Indiana Pacers have been without All-Star guard and leading scorer Victor Oladipo in their last five days. Oladipo, who is averaging 21.4 points per game this season, is still out of action with a knee injury. In his absence though, his teammates have stepped up and the Pacers have been able to win two in a row ( three out of their last five games) heading into this contest. Domantas Sabonis and Doug McDermott scored 21 points each in the Pacers’ win over the Phoenix Suns last November 27th.
Offensively, Indiana ranks just 24th in the league in scoring and Oladipo’s recent absence has added to their offensive woes. However, aside from their other players chipping in additional numbers to help compensate for ‘Dipo’s numbers, Indiana has played excellent defense to keep themselves afloat. Indiana allows just 102.2 points per game, the second best scoring defense in the league. They will need that defense to show up at Staples Center to stop a high scoring Lakers unit.
Indiana Pacers vs Los Angeles Lakers 11/29/18
Moneyline Odds: Pacers +165, Lakers -185
Odds from gtbets.eu as of 11/29/18
Worst Loss Of The Season
The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off arguably their worst loss of the season, an 85-117 defeat at the hands of the Denver Nuggets at Mile High on Tuesday. The Lakers shot just 3-35 from behind the three point arc and shot 39.1% from the field overall. The loss was the second straight for Los Angeles which is now at 11-9 on the season. The Lakers hope to regroup as they start a four game home stand and avoid a third straight loss.
But more than the defeat to the Nuggets, the Lakers suffered a loss after Lonzo Ball sprained his ankle and had to be taken out of the game. The x-rays were negative and Ball said he would play on Thursday. However, as with his previous injuries, the Lakers are expected to be cautious with their second year point guard. The problem with not having Ball is that the Lakers are already playing without Rajon Rondo who is still out with a wrist injury. Although they have other playmakers on the team, making do without their top two floor generals will be a tough task.
Who Wins?
These teams have played a total of 88 regular season games all-time. The Lakers lead the series 59-29 but the Pacers have won four out of the last six meetings between these teams. In their last matchup on March 19, 2018, the Pacers beat the Lakers 110-100.
The Lakers may be without Lonzo Ball in this game and Los Angeles is also already without Rajon Rondo. But the team still has enough playmakers on their side to run the show. Los Angeles has the likes of Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram and yes, LeBron James who can call the shots for the purple and gold.
The Pacers have won three of five games without Victor Oladipo but they’re facing a different task in handling King James and his court at their home floor. The Lakers are for sure looking to make a statement here after a humiliating loss in Denver. The Pacers will provide a good challenge but in the end, the deeper Los Angeles team prevails here.
We’re picking the Los Angeles Lakers to beat the Indiana Pacers on 11/29/18.
Other Bets To Make
The Pacers are 10-10-1 ATS in 21 games played this season and are 5-5-1 ATS in 11 road games played so far. The Lakers are 7-13 ATS in 20 games played this season. Los Angeles is also just 3-7 ATS in 10 home games played this season. Head to head, the Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games against the Pacers and are also 4-1 ATS in their last five games at Staples Center against Indiana.
Indiana Pacers vs Los Angeles Lakers 11/29/18
Spread Odd: Pacers +4.5 (-109), Lakers -4.5 (-109)
Odds from gtbets.eu as of 11/29/18
The home team is 6-2-1 in the last 9 meetings between these teams and the Pacers are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 meetings overall. Indiana is also winless ATS in their last four tries at Staples Center. With Oladipo out of this contest, the Pacers are in for a rough night against a LeBron James who will be trying to bounce back from a poor game and back to back losses.
Prediction: Lakers -4.5
The under is 11-10 in the Pacers’ 21 games this season but the total has gone over in seven out of their 11 games played on the road. The under is 12-7-1 in the Lakers’ 20 games this season and the total has gone under in 6 out of their 10 games at Staples Center. Head to head, the under has hit in four out of the last five meetings between these two teams.
Indiana Pacers vs Los Angeles Lakers 11/29/18
Over/Under Odds: Over 218 -109, Under 218 -109
Odds from betonline.ag as of 11/29/18
The Lakers rank 10th in the league in scoring but we all know that this team can be fire or ice on any given day. On the other hand, the Pacers aren’t just 24th best scoring team in the league, they are without their leading scorer who is injured. Defensively, the Pacers rank 2nd in the NBA in points allowed. The under is also 4-0 in the Lakers’ last five games after an SU loss.
Prediction: Under 218
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