NBA: LA Clippers vs. Indiana Pacers Preview, Odds, Prediction

The LA Clippers continue their ferocious tour through the East with a game in Indianapolis against the Pacers. Their current schedule is incredibly tough, but LAC isn’t backing down despite so, and last night’s victory in Charlotte is the best possible proof of that. Meanwhile, the Pacers are falling apart. As said so many times here, they are waiting for the trade deadline to see what happens next, with several of their players being interesting for other teams.

Preview

LA Clippers (26-26, +105) beat the Charlotte Hornets last night in North Carolina, 115-90. They were rampant in the final period, outscoring the hosts 31-14 during those 12 minutes and going away with a W.

The defense was the main reason for this victory, as Clippers limited the Hornets to just 32.7% shooting from the field. Also, the Hornets were inferior on the glass, having 46 boards, a dozen fewer than the Clippers. Lue’s unit delivered 23 points off turnovers while allowing eight, and all this was, in fact, the recipe for the triumph.

Brandon Boston Jr. came off the bench to score 19 points, while Reggie Jackson had the same as the starter. Marcus Morris Sr. added 16, Luke Kennard added 14 with 10 boards, Justice Winslow 13 and eight boards. We have to mention Ivica Zubac, who did score only seven points but had rebounds too.

Indiana Pacers (18-33, -120) have finished their very, very rough schedule sequence and are now back home. Rick Carlisle’s guys won only one event in the previous five, which was in OKC against the Thunder, 113-110. It was fought after overtime and a nasty battle.

Indiana’s most recent contest was in Dallas against the Mavericks. It was an emotional night for Carlisle, but on the other side, the Mavs didn’t have any feelings for their former head coach, rolling over the rivals, 132-105. The Pacers couldn’t do much better as they had a very tough game less than 24 hours before. Dallas immediately set the tempo, scoring 34 points in the first period, allowing 23.

Duane Washington Jr. scored 22 points off the bench, and was the best scorer among the guests. Domantas Sabonis was two assists short of yet another triple-double – 21 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists. Caris LeVert had 14, while Chris Duarte and Isaiah Jackson both added 12 each.

Head to Head Games

The Clippers hosted the Pacers on January 17, and they won after a typical gunfight, 139-133. This was the fifth straight victory for the LAC in head-to-head games against the Pacers. Nicola Batum led the way with 32 points, Reggie Jackson had 26 while Morris scored 21. On the other end, LeVert dropped 26, and the rookie Chris Duarte had 24.

Prediction

We understand that the Clippers play on second of back-to-back nights, and that the Pacers have the home-court advantage, but that can’t be the reason for making them underdogs in this event. Overall looking, LAC is a better team, and despite all the circumstances, we are giving them the edge here. Right now, the Clippers are 4-3 on this tour, and they have a nice opportunity to finish it with a positive record. There can’t be a better motive than that.

Pick: LAC