The Lakers still haven’t lost a game outside Los Angeles – and oddsmakers don’t see it happening Tuesday night as the red-hot Western Conference leaders visit the Indiana Pacers. The Lakers have reeled off seven consecutive victories and have just one “road loss” all season, falling to the Clippers in the season opener. Indiana is also on fire, having won 11 of 14.
- Date/Time: December 17, 7 p.m. ET
- Arena: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
- TV Coverage: SPSN, FSIN
- Sportsbook Odds: Los Angeles -2.5 | O/U 210.5
- Lakers vs Pacers Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Lakers find themselves as modest favorites for Tuesday’s marquee game; it’s the 21st time in a row they have been favored, and just the third time they’ve given fewer than 3 points over that span.
Los Angeles News & Notes
It’ll be an emotional return to Indianapolis for former Pacers head coach Frank Vogel, who is now at the Lakers’ helm. But he and the Lakers will be all business as they look to maintain the best record in the NBA. The Lakers have covered seven of their last nine meetings with the Pacers, but have lost their last six trips to Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Of course, this is a much different Lakers team than the one that visited Indiana in the past – and the tandem of LeBron James and Anthony Davis is exceeding its already-lofty expectations. The duo have combined to average 53.5 points, 16.6 rebounds and 14.0 assists while shooting 50 percent from the field and ranking inside the top six in player efficiency rating.
Indiana News & Notes
The 2019-20 Pacers will never be confused with the Lakers, Clippers or other high-profile teams – but what they’re doing is working magnificently. Indiana comes in allowing the third-fewest points among Eastern Conference teams while looking surprisingly adept on offense despite the absence of star guard Victor Oladipo (knee), who likely won’t return to action any time soon.
At the center of the team’s offensive rejuvenation is point guard Malcolm Brogdon, who has excelled in his first season with the Pacers. Brogdon leads the team in scoring at 19.1 points per game and ranks sixth in the NBA in assists (7.7). Domantas Sabonis has added 17.7 points and 13.5 rebounds (fourth-most in the NBA) while shooting 51.0 percent from the floor.
Betting Pick: UNDER 210.5
Both teams are playing sound defensive basketball – and with the Pacers knowing they can’t afford to get into a track meet with LeBron, AD and the others, we like the chances of this one falling short of the total.
- Los Angeles is 14-1 SU on the road this season.
- Indiana is 8-4 ATS in its last 12 games.
- The UNDER is 8-4 in Los Angeles’ past 12 games.
