Lakers vs Pacers Pick, Preview & Betting Odds For Thursday, February 2nd

Check out our free Lakers vs Pacers pick and preview for this NBA game in Indianapolis. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this NBA matchup.

Lakers vs Pacers NBA Pick & Preview

Sport: NBA
Teams: Los Angeles Lakers at Indiana Pacers
Where: Indianapolis at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Date: Thursday, February 2nd
Betting Odds IND +1.5, LAL -123 | IND +101 O/U nan

The Lakers come into today’s matchup with an overall record of 24-28. So far, the team has gone 25-24-3 against the spread. In the teams past 3 games, their overall mark sits at 1-2. Los Angeles is 2-1 vs the spread in these matchups.

The Lakers are coming off a 129-123 win over the Knicks. This away win came despite entering the game as the 2 point underdogs. Although Los Angeles trailed the Knicks going into halftime, by the end of the 3rd quarter they had taken the lead. Leading the team in scoring was LeBron James, as he contributed 28 points while hitting 44.0% of his shots.

The Pacers come into today’s matchup with an overall record of 24-28. So far, the team has gone 27-24-1 against the spread. Against the Lakers, the Pacers are looking to break out of a 3 game losing streak. These defeats have come on an average scoring differential of -9.33 points per contest.

Not only did the Pacers drop their last game to the Grizzlies. But they also picked up an ATS loss, as they fell by a score of 112-100 as 8 point underdogs. Indiana went on to lose the game despite leading by 12 heading into halftime. Leading the team in scoring was Bennedict Mathurin, as he contributed 27 points while hitting 45.0% of his shots.

Head To Head Recap & Stats

I Similar to their season-long average, the Lakers averaged 114.0 points per game vs the Pacers. Similar to the Lakers, the Pacers scored at a rate near the league average. In their games vs Los Angeles, the team averaged 113.5 points per game. Across the last 5 matchups between the teams, Indiana has gone 3-2 vs the spread. However, the Lakers actually have a positive scoring margin in these games at +3 points per game. In these matchups, the teams have put together an over-under mark of 2-3. Combined, they averaged 225 points in these games.

Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game

Coming into today’s action, Los Angeles is averaging 117.0 points per contest. This figure places them 5th in the league. So far, Los Angeles is averaging 102.5 possessions per game, making them one of the more up-tempo teams in the league. Heading into the game, the Lakers will look to continue with their formula of playing fast and getting to the basket, as they are near the top of the league in two-point fields made per game.

Currently, the Lakers defense is ranked 28th in points allowed. So far, opposing teams are averaging 115.15 points per game vs the unit.

One situation to keep an eye on leading up the game is the availability of LeBron James, as he is currently questionable on the injury report. If he is able to play, the team will have it’s 1-2 punch availble as James leads the team in scoring at 30.2 points per game while Westbrook is 2nd at 15.8. For the season, James is 7th in the NBA in usage rate and 18th in player efficiency. Behind him, Westbrook has taken 15.5% of the team’s field goal attempts, connecting at a rate of 41.9%.

Through 52 games, Indiana is the 10th best scoring team at 115.1 points per game. For the season, the Pacers have been playing an up-tempo style of basketball as they sit 10th in the NBA in possessions per game.. Even though the unit has one of the lower effective field goal percentages in the NBA at 53.5%. Their up-tempo style of play has given them enough opportunites to make up for their poor shooting numbers.

Currently, the Pacers defense is ranked 26th in points allowed. So far, opposing teams are averaging 114.94 points per game vs the unit.

On offense, Bennedict Mathurin leads the Pacers in scoring at 17.9 points per game, placing him 67th in the NBA. Overall, Mathurin has hit 42.6% of his shots while accounting for 14.6% of the team’s looks from the field. In today’s game, he will be working against a defensive unit that is 17th in points allowed to shooting guards. At 17.4 points per game, Buddy Hield is the 2nd leading scorer for the Pacers. For the season, he is 148th in the league in player efficiency rating, while posting a field goal percentage of 45.0%.