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Pacers vs. Lakers Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
5 minute read

Mar. 12, 2021
by Michael Crosson
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

Non-conference NBA action will resume on Friday night with the Lakers set to host the Pacers during the final contest on NBA TV’s nationally televised slate. So, VI is getting you ready with a variety of betting resources to help handicap all the evening’s top matchups.

Pacers vs. Lakers Betting Resources

Betting Odds - Pacers vs. Lakers

Line Movements

Subject to Change

  • Spread: Lakers -4.5
  • Money-Line: L.A. -190, Indiana +170
  • Total: 216

The Lakers head into Friday’s contest as a 4.5-point favorite, marking the fifth time Indiana has been listed as an ‘underdog’ across their last six games.

While the total for this matchup currently sits at OU 216.5 – which is the lowest number set for contest containing the Pacers since they squared off with the Pistons on February 11th (U 215).


The Pacers look to end their road woes as they begin the second half against the Lakers on Friday. (AP)

Pacers vs. Lakers Current Form-Last Game

The Lakers wrapped up the first half of their season on a 2-3 SU skid – which includes losses to the Jazz, Suns, and Kings across that stretch.

LeBron James did not participate in L.A.’s most recent loss to the Kings though – as Dennis Schroder, Montrezl Harrell, and Kyle Kuzma all chipped in 20+ points during a slim, 3-point victory for Sacramento.

The Pacers, on the other hand, went into the All-Star Break riding a six-game losing streak ATS, with their only SU victory during that timeframe coming in a tight win over the Cavaliers at the start of March as 6.5-point road favorites.

Indiana’s most recent affair resulted in a loss to the Nuggets – as Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter. Jr., and Jamal Murray combined for 67 points during a 10-point victory for Denver.


Pacers vs. Lakers Head-to-Head

  • Aug. 8, 2020* - Pacers 116 vs. Lakers 111, Indiana +5.5, Over 219
  • Dec. 17, 2019 - Pacers 105 vs. Lakers 101, Indiana +1, Under 212

*Game played at NBA Bubble in Orlando, Florida

Although the Pacers and Lakers have still not squared off this year, Indiana has won three straight regular season matchups against Los Angeles – with the most recent of those victories coming during a seeding game in the NBA-bubble this past August, 116-111.

T.J. Warren (15-22 FGA) and James (13-24 FGA) both put on extraordinary 30-point performances during that matchup. The Pacers put together a better team-effort in the contest though – considering three Indiana players scored 20 or more points, while LeBron happened to be the only LAL starter to crack double-digits.

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

Indiana Pacers Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

  • Overall: 16-19 SU, 14-21 ATS, 20-14-1 OU
  • Road: 9-8 SU, 8-9 ATS, 11-5-1 OU

The Pacers head into Friday’s matchup having lost six straight games against the spread, with their only SU victory across that span coming in a tight, 3-point win over the Cavaliers, 114-111.

The ‘over’ is now 20-14-1 in matchups containing Indiana so far this year, which ranks 7th in that department. That trend of high-scoring affairs continued as we approached All-Star Weekend as well – with 7 of 9 Pacers games going ‘over’ to close out the first half of their season.

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

  • Overall: 24-13 SU, 17-20 ATS, 14-23 OU
  • Home: 11-8 SU, 7-12 ATS, 10-9 OU

Anthony Davis will be forced to miss a 10th consecutive contest this Friday night after straining his calf in a loss to the Nuggets on Valentine’s Day. While AD’s injury isn’t necessarily expected to carry a long-term effect on this year’s Lakers squad, it caused Frank Vogel’s team to spiral into a little bit of rough patch prior to the mid-season stoppage – considering they have lost six of nine games SU following the injury to their All-Star big man.

The ‘over’ is 14-23 in contests containing the Lakers so far this year, which is the lowest clip across the league in that department. That trend has continued following the injury to AD too – with the total staying ‘under’ in six of nine matchups during his most recent absence.

Key Injuries

Indiana Pacers

  • SG Caris LeVert: Kidney - Out
  • SF T.J. Warren: Foot - Out

Los Angeles Lakers

  • PF Anthony Davis: Achilles - Out
  • C Marc Gasol: Quarantine - Questionable
  • SG Alex Caruso: Neck - Questionable

Player Prop Best Bet

Domantas Sabonis – Under 10.5 Rebounds (-110)

All-Star Weekend Skills Contest Champion, Domantas Sabonis, is one of the most versatile bigs in the league – currently averaging 20.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game for the Pacers this year.

Although Sabonis still currently averages over 11 boards per game, his rebounding numbers began to hit a decline prior to the midway point of the season – having failed to eclipse 11 rebounds in six straight contests.

I’ll back Sabonis to stay under his rebounds number again here, as I expect Indiana to primarily utilize his scoring ability in an unfavorable matchup with the Lakers.

Pacers vs. Lakers Prediction

The Lakers are still undeniably the best team in the NBA when all their starters are healthy and checked into any given matchup. LeBron and company tend to struggle when a piece(s) is missing from the puzzle though, especially a piece as crucial as Davis – heading into Friday’s matchup on a 3-6 SU run without their All-Pro forward in the lineup.

The Pacers have been even more difficult to trust lately though – considering Indiana has lost five of their last six games SU, with their only victory across that span coming in a 3-point win over the Cavaliers. I’ll side with King James’ guys to cover in their first game back from the All-Star Break on Friday night.

Score Prediction: Lakers 113, Pacers 105
Best Bet: L.A. -4


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