2023-12-09 18:35:18
Ryan Dodson
| Staff Writer
The Indiana Pacers(12-8) take on the Los Angeles Lakers (14-9) in the In-Season Tournament Championship Saturday in Las Vegas. Tip-off to win the inaugural NBA Cup is set for 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC) from T-Mobile Arena. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Pacers vs. Lakers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; Split 1-1 last season
The Pacers landed a 128-119 upset as 5.5-point underdogs of the Milwaukee Bucks Thursday to advance to the title game. PG Tyrese Haliburton had 27 points and 15 assists, and C Myles Turner delivered 26 points with 10 boards. The Pacers lead the NBA in scoring (128.4 points per game) with the highest-paced 103.6 in the league.
The Lakers cruised 133-89 over the New Orleans Pelicans Thursday for their 2nd-highest scoring output of the season — and easily covering as 2-point favorites. They’ll need to match that effort to stave off the hard-charging Pacers. F LeBron James had 30 points, 8 assists and 5 boards in just 23 minutes.
– The semifinals were also played at T-Mobile Arena.
– The players of the winning team win $500,000 each.
– The title game doesn’t count in the regular-season standings, while all previous In-Season tourney games did, including the semis and quarterfinals.
Pacers vs. Lakers odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:29 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Pacers +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Lakers -178 (bet $178 to win $100)Against the spread (ATS): Pacers +4 (-110) | Lakers -4 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 243 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Pacers vs. Lakers key injuries
Pacers
G Andrew Nembhard (knee) outF Jalen Smith (heel) out
Lakers
G Gabe Vincent (knee) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Pacers vs. Lakers picks and predictions
Prediction
Lakers 130, Pacers 127
Moneyline
I alluded to this in a semifinal preview, but LBJ “wants” this title. He has publicly expressed support for the idea of the In-Season Tournament and called commissioner Adam Silver a genius. He’s all-in because this may be the only trophy this team hoists this season.
Having said that, the Pacers are no joke offensively. The Lakers have a big size advantage and will try to slow Indiana down. However, this will be a track meet. The Pacers have a real chance to pull off the upset, and their +150 ML price is tempting.
I just think this is one James won’t let go by the wayside.
PASS.
Against the spread
The Pacers have covered 3 straight, and they were at least 4.5-point dogs in all of them. This line opened at 3.5, and we might need the extra half point in case the Pacers can’t get it done. They are 6-4 ATS over the last 10.
The Lakers have also covered 3 in a row and are 6-4 ATS in their last 10, but look for the Pacers to keep this close.
TAKE INDIANA +4 (-110).
Over/Under
The Lakers have cashed 3 Unders in a row, and the Pacers have cashed 2 in a row. Indiana is 7-3 O/U over the last 10, but this is a massive total. The Pacers have averaged 131.5 points over their last 4 games. They have the youth and 3-point shooting advantage. That’s why I like OVER 243 (-110) even though we’re getting in late as it opened at 239.5.
For more sports betting picks and tipscheck out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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