We have reached the middle of the planting schedule, with the playoff image becoming clearer as the days go by. The Lakers, having already secured their first seed in the West, can now use the rest of their schedule to fine-tune lineups and hopefully solve their shooting problems. The Pacers are tied with the 76ers for fifth place in the East, and a win here will help them create space to avoid dropping to number 6 in the standings.
The Lakers may be shorthanded with some players out, giving Indiana a better chance to pick up a W. Here’s everything you need to know about Wednesday’s Lakers-Pacers match.
How to look
- Date: Saturday, 8 August | 6pm ET
- Position: Disney Wide World of Sports – Orlando, Florida
- TV: TNT
- Chance: Lakers -6 | O / U: 219
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storylines
Lakers: LA has lost their last two games, a couple of back-to-backs. The Lakers experienced a cold night of shooting in a defeat to the Thunder, and felt the residual effects of playing the next day against the Rockets. LeBron James sat outside against Houston due to a sore right groin, and along with Alex Caruso (left neck muscle spasms) the two are questionable for this meeting. The Lakers will already be without 3D specialist Danny Green, who is treating a pain in his right hip, which means we could see a few more minutes from Dion Waiters and JR Smith in this game. The most important thing for LA is to stay 100% healthy for the post-season and deal with its shooting problems, which have led the team to shoot a terrible 23.4% from over the arc, last of all. teams in the bubble.
Pacers: Indiana is coming out of a tough defeat against the suddenly creeping Phoenix Suns. TJ Warren only scored 16 points in that match after scoring more than 30 points in each of the previous three Pacers games in the bubble. Warren is listed as questionable for the game, which could leave the score to Victor Oladipo, who hasn’t looked at his typical self, and Malcolm Brogdon, who averages 19 points in Orlando. Depending on who suits the Lakers, and whether Warren plays or not, will determine if Indiana has a chance to win this game.
Game prediction
If LeBron doesn’t play, that would give the Pacers a legitimate chance to pull off a win, and the extra motivation of trying to keep number 5 in the East could play a factor as well. However, without Warren it will be considerably difficult as Indiana struggled for anything in his last game when Warren was locked up on the defensive. This is a problem depending on who fits, but I’ll give the Lakers the edge because Anthony Davis will continue to play, so the Lakers should be in good hands whether LeBron fits or not. Choose: Lakers -6
