Don’t tune into the Indiana Pacers matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers expecting to get a glimpse at the new era in Angel City with Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Doncic has already been confirmed out for the matchup, and James is listed as doubtful.
This is part of the reason why I expect Indiana to take advantage of an L.A. team that could be down as many as four of its best players in my Pacers vs. Lakers predictions and NBA picks for Saturday, February 8.
Pacers vs Lakers prediction
My best bet
Pacers -3.5 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
There was hope NBA fans across the country wouldfinally get to see what one of the craziest trades in NBA history would actually look like on the hardwood.
However, they’ll need to wait until Monday to get a look at Doncic’s No. 77 in the Los Angeles Lakers gold in game, with the former Dallas Mavericks franchise cornerstone still out this afternoon due to his calf injury.
Doncic might not be the only new acquisition missing, either. The Lakers traded for center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets ahead of the trade deadline to bolster the team's frontcourt presence, as Anthony Davis is now in the Lone Star State.
While the 7-footer is expected to provide the Lakers with a rebounding machine that can protect the rim, the 23-year-old is listed as questionable against the Indiana Pacers.
To make matters even harder for JJ Redick and the Lakers, James is doubtful due to an ankle injury. It’s hard to imagine L.A. feeling the need to play him with Doncic out and potentially Williams, too.
It doesn’t end there, either. Austin Reaves, the team’s second-leading scorer this season with Davis gone, is also listed as questionable with an elbow injury.
It’s unlikely all four of them won’t play. I expect at least one of Reaves or Williams to be on the court, but this is essentially a throwaway game for the Lakers as they wait to debut their superstar tandem on Monday.
Sportsbooks feel the same with this game, seeing the spread move from Lakers -2.5 to Pacers -3.5. And while that’s a lot of movement based on player availability that’s not yet confirmed, Indiana is poised to take advantage of this likely-to-be shorthanded L.A. roster.
Rick Carlisle’s team is once again among the top squads in the East thanks to an offense that’s 10th in points per game (115.7) and offensive rating (115.5). The Pacers are one of the most efficient shooting teams in the league, sitting fourth in field goal percentage (49%) and 10th in 3-point percentage (36.9%).
Even with Myles Turner out due to a concussion, the trio of Pascal Siakam, Tyrese Haliburton, and Bennedict Mathurin should be enough to push a Lakers defense 16th in rating (114.4) and 17th in field goal percentage allowed (46.7%).
Pacers vs Lakers same-game parlay
Pacers -3.5
Pascal Siakam Over 21.5 points
Tyrese Haliburton Over 8.5 assists
No more Davis should help open things up for Siakam, who at 30 has shown no signs of slowing down in his ninth season in the NBA. He’s putting up 20.7 ppg this season and is shooting a career-best 41.5% from behind the arc.
The New Mexico State alum has also been at his best since the beginning of January, averaging over 22 ppg and shooting better than 55% from the floor. He’s gone Over 21.5 points in eight of his last 13 games.
If Siakam’s scoring, it will likely be Haliburton setting him up. The two-time All-Star is fifth in the league in assists per game (8.5) and has gone for nine or more in 22 of 49 games.
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Pacers vs Lakers odds
Pacers vs Lakers live odds
Pacers vs Lakers opening odds
- Spread: Indiana +2.5 | Los Angeles -2.5
- Moneyline: Indiana +120 | Los Angeles -140
- Over/Under: Over 233 | Under 233
Odds courtesy of bet365
Pacers vs Lakers spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Lakers opened as a 2.5-point favorite, but with James doubtful and Doncic out, the line has shifted significantly to Pacers -3.5.
- The Lakers and Pacers are in the top half of the league, with ATS records of 26-22-1 and 25-24-1, respectively.
- The Over/Under opened as high as 233.5, but has since come down to as low as 230.5 with so many players out.
- Indiana has been a solid Over bet this season at 26-22-2, but the Lakers are just 24-25.
Pacers vs Lakers trend
The Indiana Pacers have hit the moneyline in 19 of their last 25 games (+21.15 Units / 45% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Lakers.
How to watch Pacers vs Lakers
| Location | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA |
| Date | Saturday, 2-8-2025 |
| Tip-off | 4:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
Pacers vs Lakers latest injuries
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