The Indiana Pacers (40-31) take on the Los Angeles Lakers (38-32) on Sunday. Tip-off from Crypto.com Arena is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (NBA TV). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Pacers vs. Lakers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; teams split last season with each winning on the road
The Pacers won 123-111 at the Golden State Warriors on Friday with C Myles Turner passing Jermaine O’Neal as the franchise leader in blocks (1,248). Indiana’s defense held Golden State to under 29.2% on 3s.
The Lakers took down the Philadelphia 76ers 101-94 Friday and sit 1.5 games ahead of the Warriors for the 9th spot in the West. The 76ers caused 21 turnovers, but the Lakers’ defense held them to 34% from the floor.
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:15 a.m. ET.
The Lakers are quite good at home. They are 25-12, which is 5th-best in the West and 9th-best in the NBA. And the Pacers have struggled against Western Conference teams, posting a 12-15 record.Injuria
But at -155 there isn’t a lot of value. I’d PASS and look to the spread.
The Pacers have won and covered in their last 2 games, but Indiana hasn’t covered in 3 straight games since December.
You also have to go back to December to see the last time the Lakers were giving less than 4 points, won, and didn’t cover. Since I like L.A., I will take them on the spread.
The Pacers have gone Under in 7 of their last 8 games but I expect them to bounce back here, especially since the Lakers have allowed 120 points or more in 5 of their 9 games in March. On top of that the Lakers have the 4th-best Over record this season.
