Lakers vs Pacers Game Preview
Today, your Los Angeles Lakers (30-19) will attempt to continue their impressive streak of wins as they take on the Indiana Pacers (29-21) at home.
The Lakers are in the midst of a four-game winning streak and have won 10 of their last 12. This team is rolling.
The Lakers will be without their two stars, LeBron James and the newly acquired Luka Doncic, tonight, with Luka eyeing Monday against Utah as his return.
Mark Williams will, unfortunately, also have to wait until Monday to make his debut as his trade still needs to clear.
Indiana is a good team and a top 4-seed in the East. Without the team’s two best players, everyone will have to step up.
Slowing Down Indiana’s Offense
This season, much like the last, Indiana’s offense has been a force. Led by their talented PG Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers currently rank 10th in PPG and come in 8th in assists per game.
Their offense is fast and fluid, and with the emergence of players like Siakam and Mathurin, they have wing options to hurt you.
Thankfully, since both the trade for Dorian Finney-Smith and the return of Jarred Vanderbilt, this team’s defensive identity has taken off.
In the last 15 games, the Lakers have actually had the 6th best defensive rating in the league. Tonight, the game will be won or lost based on the defensive efforts of Finney-Smith, Vanderbilt, and Vincent.
Lakers point production
In the past few games, LeBron James has been on a tear, even recording 42 points the other night against Golden State.
With no LeBron tonight or debut from Luka, the Lakers will be looking to the others for scoring tonight.
Players like Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura will be essential tonight in filling up the box score scoring-wise.
With the offensive production of Mark Williams still a few days away now, dare I say we see a legacy game from a player like Gabe Vincent.
One more game
Since news of the Doncic trade broke, Lakers Nation has been doing nothing but eagerly awaiting his Purple and Gold debut.
In the interim however, the team has continued their dominance and especially against Western Conference foes like the Clippers and Warriors.
With LeBron out tonight against a solid Eastern Conference opponent, can we possibly see the team mail it in? I highly doubt it.
The energy and intensity this team has been playing with the last few games goes past a player.
Every member of the roster has made a concerted effort on both sides of the ball. Win or lose, expect the team to continue to play hard-nosed Lakers basketball tonight.
