Pacers vs Lakers Prediction: In-Season Tournament Final Pick

Indiana Pacers (12-8 SU, 12-8 ATS) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (14-9 SU, 11-12 ATS)

When: Saturday, December 9th, 8:30 PM (ET)

Where: T-Mobile Arena, NV, Las Vegas

TV: ABC

Point Spread: Ind +4.5/LAL -4.5

Total: 240.5

Money Line: Indiana Pacers +153/-185

Notable Injuries

Pacers

• Jalen Smith (Out) Knee
• Andrew Nembhard (Out) Knee

Lakers

• Anthony Davis (Probable) Left Hip
• LeBron James (Probable) Calf
• Jarred Vanderbilt (Probable) Heel
• Gabe Vincent (Out) Knee

Recent Form

With today’s game on the horizon, the Pacers will be aiming to extend their three-game winning streak. Overall, they are 12-8 and are currently 5th in the Eastern Conference. In the Central Division, they are 2nd.

As they prepare to face the Pacers, the Lakers are hoping to add to their overall record of 14-9. In their 23 games, the Lakers have gone 11-6 in the Western Conference and are 3-3 in non-conference games.

The Historicals

When looking at how these teams have performed against the spread in recent matchups, the Pacers hold the edge at 4-1. However, the average scoring margin in these matchups has been tight, sitting at just -2 points per game. Indiana and Los Angeles averaged a combined 228 points per game in these games, leading to an over-under mark of 2-3.

Analysis

In their latest game, Indiana’s offense looked good, scoring 128 points against the Bucks. They recorded an overall field goal percentage of 49% and made 21/25 free throws. Tyrese Haliburton is currently the leading scorer for the team, entering today’s matchup with an average of 26.9. Meanwhile, Myles Turner also brings a PPG average of 17.1 into the game.

So far, the Pacers’ defense is ranked 29th in the league at 124.9 points per contest.

On two-point field goal attempts, the Pacers’ defensive unit is allowing a field goal percentage of 54.7% and allowing 38.8% from beyond the arc.

In their most recent game, the Lakers offense put up 133 points against the Pelicans. They recorded an overall field goal percentage of 54.7% and made 17 threes. Coming into the game, the Lakers offense has struggled with their outside shot this season, hitting threes at a rate of just 34%. On average, they get up 29.7 three-point attempts per game and are averaging 19.8 made free-throws.

Currently, the Lakers’ defense holds the 10th rank in the NBA, allowing 112.0 points per game.

When it comes to forced turnovers, the Lakers are forcing 14.1 per game, which is 22nd in the league. They also come into the game sitting 9th in blocked shots at 5.8 per game.

Betting Trends

• Across their last three road contests, Indiana has been good against the spread, posting a mark of 2-1. Their overall mark in these games was 2-1, while averaging 134 points per game.
• Although Los Angeles has a straight-up record of 1-2 in their last three home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 1-2. The team averaged 112 points per game in these games.
• Indiana has done well both straight up and vs. the spread as the underdog, going 3-0 SU and 3-0 ATS in their last three games.
• As the betting favorite, the Lakers have an ATS record of 3-0 in their last three games. In these matchups, their straight-up record was 3-0.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

In today’s NBA in-season tournament final, the Lakers will take on the Pacers as 4.5-point favorites. Even though the Lakers are coming off a dominant performance vs. the Pelicans, I like how the Pacers match up with the Lakers. Look for Tyrese Haliburton and this young Pacers squad to cover the spread as +4.5 point underdogs.