LA LAKERS @ INDIANA (IND -3, 241.5)
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LAKERS VS. PACERS 3/29/24
When the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers play again tonight in Indianapolis, it is anticipated that there will be plenty of offensive production, just five days after they scored close to 300 points in regulation.
On Sunday, the Lakers (41-32) defeated the visiting Pacers 150-145 thanks to 36 points and 16 rebounds from Anthony Davis. LeBron James added 26 points and 10 assists, while four other Lakers starters scored at least 25 points.
Eight players for the Pacers (41-33) scored in double figures, with Pascal Siakam leading the way with 36 points and 12 rebounds. The Pacers attempted to rally with a 46-point fourth quarter, but the Lakers took command after scoring 86 points in just the first two quarters. Since 1987, it was the highest scoring game for Los Angeles.
Rick Carlisle, the head coach of the Pacers, voiced his disapproval of the way the game was called. Los Angeles was called for 14 fouls, while Indiana was whistled for 31. Indiana made 9-of-16 free throws, compared to the Lakers' 38-of-43.
The Lakers, who opened a six-game road trip with victories at Milwaukee and Memphis after defeating the Pacers, come into tonight’s game on a season-best five-game winning streak. In a 136-124 victory over the Grizzlies on Wednesday, James recorded a triple-double with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists. Meanwhile, Rui Hachimura scored 32 points, including a career-high seven three-pointers. Anthony Davis was given the night off.
The Lakers are 2.5 games out of sixth place in the West. That spot is currently held by Dallas. There is a chance that LA could move into the top six and avoid the play-in tournament. It’s a similar story for the Pacers. With one game separating them and the Miami Heat in seventh place, the Pacers hold the final automatic playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.
Indiana's road trip came to an end on Wednesday with a 125-99 loss to the Chicago Bulls. The Pacers ended up 3-2 in the five away games. Four of the Pacers' next five games will be played at home. In a far cry from their performance in the loss to the Lakers in Los Angeles, Andrew Nembhard scored 18 points against the Bulls while the Pacers shot 40.0 percent from the field. Siakam finished with 8 rebounds and 14 points.
Indiana is 6-1 ATS in its last seven games against the Lakers at home. The Pacers are the top scoring team in the NBA, however, they have been trending Under recently. Eleven of their last 15 games have cashed on the Under. Four of their last five home games and four of their last five against the Lakers all have gone Under the total.
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Free pick PACERS -4.5
