Lakers vs. Pacers Preview

The Los Angeles Lakers (37-25) are taking on the Indiana Pacers (15-47) after losing yet another game to a team that has a .600 win percentage.

It will be their second of a back-to-back, but their chances to turn things around will be significantly greater as they play the team with the worst record in the Eastern Conference.

Let’s go over some key pointers heading into the matchup:

Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves Look to Lead Lakers

Los Angeles will be down two starters in LeBron James (elbow contusion, left foot arthritis) and Deandre Ayton (knee soreness). With this news, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves will look to lead the Lakers on Friday.

Doncic has been as consistent as ever, still leading the NBA in points per game (32.8). However, Reaves has struggled over his last few games.

He hasn’t scored 20 or more points in seven straight despite having a 41.2% field goal percentage over the stretch. Reaves will have a chance to have more opportunities to score in this one while LeBron James sits out.

Jaxson Hayes Looks to Step up in Deandre Ayton’s Absence

After exiting early in the Lakers’ loss to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night, Deandre Ayton will sit out of this one. His injury is listed as knee soreness.

With this being said, Jaxson Hayes will be the man to step up in the absence of Ayton. The 25-year-old has continued to grow his chemistry with Luka Doncic and put up a season-high 19 points to go along with five rebounds and two assists on Thursday.

He will look to continue this momentum while playing against a struggling Pacers team.

The Lakers will look to capitalize on the recent seven-game losing streak of the Pacers. The regular season is coming down to the wire, and Los Angeles is on the edge of the Western Conference playoff race as the No. 6 seed.