The Los Angeles Lakers are on arguably their greatest run of the season as they proceed on their highway journey with a cease in Indiana to tackle the Pacers for the second time this week.
The Lakers held on for a 150-145 win on Sunday within the franchise’s highest scoring recreation since 1987 and will probably be on the lookout for an identical offensive efficiency in hopes of choosing up their sixth straight win, and third on this highway journey.
Most vital is that Anthony Davis is again within the lineup after sitting out the Lakers’ win in Memphis attributable to a minor knee damage. The Pacers merely haven’t any reply for Davis, who not solely dominated on Sunday, but additionally within the In-Season Event Championship Sport, additionally gained by the Lakers. Merely put, he’s the Lakers’ greatest benefit as he controls the paint not like another.
The Pacers are the very best scoring staff within the league so the Lakers’ offense must be on level. LeBron James goes to ship as all the time, however the position gamers must step up as properly. Rui Hachimura has been glorious as of late, and that degree of play has lifted the Lakers’ ceiling tremendously.
Moreover, the Lakers are going to wish no less than two of their three most important guards in D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and Spencer Dinwiddie to have huge offensive nights. Each Dinwiddie and Reaves have been glorious on Sunday as Russell sat out with an sickness, however the Lakers want their guards to win the backcourt battle towards among the finest pure level guards within the NBA immediately.
Tyrese Haliburton is the person who makes the Pacers offense go. Pascal Siakam has given the Pacers one other glorious possibility whom they’ll run offense by way of, however make no mistake it’s Haliburton who drives this staff and containing him is the Lakers’ high precedence on protection. Reaves, Dinwiddie, Cam Reddish and Max Christie ought to all see time on the All-Star and provides him many alternative appears to take care of as holding him in verify additionally helps to restrict the likes of Aaron Nesmith or Myles Turner catching hearth from deep.
One enormous key for the Lakers is caring for the ball. The Pacers rank third within the NBA in factors off turnovers and fourth in fastbreak factors, so limiting turnovers and never letting Indiana get out in transition is of the utmost significance. Moreover, these are the highest two groups within the league in factors within the paint so successful that battle might determine the sport.
The Lakers have proven themselves to be a tricky matchup for the Pacers to this point this season, regardless of having some similarities. Each groups stay within the paint and thrive in transition, however the distinction has been Davis.
Each the Lakers and Pacers are combating for playoff positioning of their respective conferences and wish all of the wins they’ll get. The Lakers have been sad with their defensive efficiency towards this staff on Sunday so if they’ll ramp that up on this one, they need to have the ability to full a season sweep.
Los Angeles Lakers (41-32) vs. Indiana Pacers (41-33)
4:00 p.m. PT, Friday, March 29, 2024
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
TV: Spectrum SportsNet, NBA TV
Radio: 710 AM ESPN LA
Projected Lakers Beginning Lineup:
PG: D’Angelo Russell
SG: Austin Reaves
SF: LeBron James
PF: Rui Hachimura
C: Anthony Davis
Key Reserves: Spencer Dinwiddie, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish, Max Christie, Jaxson Hayes
Projected Pacers Beginning Lineup:
PG: Tyrese Haliburton
SG: Andrew Nembhard
SF: Aaron Nesmith
PF: Pascal Siakam
C: Myles Turner
Key Reserves: Obi Toppin, Jalen Smith, T.J. McConnell, Ben Sheppard
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