Monday Nov. 28 at 10:30 PM ET at Crypto.com Arena
Game Preview
The Pacers (11-8) will try to avoid going 0-for-Los Angeles on Monday night, when they take on LeBron and the Lakers (7-11) for their second game in as many days in Crypto.com Arena.
Indiana will hope to put together a better second-half performance than they did in Sunday’s 114-100 loss to the Clippers. The Blue & Gold managed just 12 points on 4-of-22 shooting in the third quarter to fall into a big hole they couldn’t recover from in a game that the Clippers dominated on the interior.
The Pacers’ interior defense also was an issue in the loss. The Clippers outscored Indiana 66-48 in points in the paint and outrebounded them 62-39 overall and 18-9 on the offensive glass. Clippers center Ivica Zubac had 31 points and 29 rebounds (12 offensive) and narrowly missed out on becoming just the third player to post a 30/30 game in the last 40 years when he fouled out in the closing minutes of Sunday’s game.
One bright spot for the Pacers on Sunday was third-year forward Jalen Smith. Smith scored 19 points in the first half on his way to a career-best 23 points and nine rebounds. The big man nicknamed “Stix” went 3-for-7 from 3-point range, his fourth game this season making three 3-pointers.
It’s been a rocky start to the season for the Lakers, though they’ve played better of late. After starting the year 2-10, the Lakers have won five of their past six games.
Though their depth has been an issue, the Lakers still boast two All-NBA players in LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Entering Sunday, Davis ranked 11th in the league in scoring (26.3 points per game), second in rebounding (12.8), and third in blocks (2.2). James’ numbers may have dipped slightly from his career averages, but he’s still remarkably productive for a player in his 20th NBA season, averaging 25.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 6.4 assists over his first 12 contests.
James had 39 points and went 7-for-12 from 3-point range in the Lakers’ last outing, a 143-138 win over San Antonio on Saturday night. Davis sat out that game with a left calf contusion, but is expected to be back in the lineup against Indiana on Monday.
Projected Starters
Pacers: G – Tyrese Haliburton, G – Buddy Hield, F – Aaron Nesmith, F – Jalen Smith, C – Myles Turner
Lakers: G – Dennis Schröder, G – Lonnie Walker IV, F – Troy Brown Jr., F – LeBron James, C – Anthony Davis
Injury Report
Pacers: Andrew Nembhard – questionable (left knee bruise), Chris Duarte – out (left ankle sprain), Daniel Theis – out (right knee surgery)
Last Meeting
Jan. 19, 2022: Caris LeVert scored 22 points in the fourth quarter and Domantas Sabonis recorded a triple-double to lead the Pacers to a 111-104 win over the Lakers in Los Angeles.
Indiana trailed 80-75 entering the fourth quarter and LeVert had just eight points on the night, having battled foul trouble over the first three quarters. But the 6-5 guard scored 22 on 9-of-10 shooting (3-of-3 from 3-point range) over the final 9:33 as the Blue & Gold outscored the Lakers 35-24 in the final frame.
“Honestly, I felt like that from the start of the game,” LeVert said. “I felt great. My body felt great. I felt locked in. The fouls were definitely frustrating. But my teammates kept me in it.”
Sabonis added 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in the victory, while Malcolm Brogdon had 19 points and six assists.
LeBron James had 30 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists for the Lakers. Talen Horton-Tucker added 20 points and seven rebounds off the bench in the loss.
Noteworthy
- The Pacers snapped a four-game road losing streak against the Lakers with last season’s victory at Crypto.com Arena.
- The Lakers will make their annual visit to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Feb. 2.
- Indiana is 3-0 on the season when playing on the second night of a back-to-back.
- Pacers center Myles Turner failed to record a block on Sunday, snapping a streak of 33 consecutive games with at least one rejection. It was the longest active streak in the NBA and the third-longest streak of Turner’s career.
Broadcast Information (TV and Radio Listings >>)
TV: Bally Sports Indiana – Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan – Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Pat Boylan (studio host)
Tickets
After a seven-game road trip, the Pacers will return to Indiana to host Bradley Beal and the Washington Wizards at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday, Dec. 9 at 7:00 PM ET. Find Tickets >>