Lakers vs. Pacers Preview and Game Thread: Two teams that mirror each other

With possibly no LeBron James, the Lakers’ role players will have to step up and play extraordinarily well against the visiting Pacers on Saturday.

The Lakers look to win their fifth straight game at home on Saturday as they take on the surging Pacers for the first time this season.

Indiana is coming off a strong win against the L.A. Clippers while the Lakers continued their winning ways against the Golden State Warriors last Thursday.

Start time and TV schedule

Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Indiana Pacers

When: 1 PST, Feb 8.

Where: Crypto.com Arena

Watch: ESPN, Spectrum Sportsnet

Saturday’s matinee matchup against the Pacers was initially anticipated as the game when Luka Dončić would make his Laker debut but that was postponed to Monday. So, while we have to wait two more days for the big day, let’s allow this one to distract us first, as we should be in for an entertaining matchup between two teams who actually mirror each other on both ends of the floor.

This rejuvenated version of the Lakers, led by LeBron James, has played with a certain type of pace and force that’s caught their opponents off guard as of late. Last Thursday against Golden State, Los Angeles owned the transition department (35-9), a big part of why they built a 20-point lead in the first half, which was good enough to help them survive the Warriors’ second half push.

Of course, the Lakers’ transition offense wasn’t the only key factor in their 30th victory of the season. They played impressive defense, at least in that first half, before the Dubs opted to adjust and go small in the second half. The purple and gold are currently on a four-game winning streak because of their ability to win games in different ways.

And if there’s a team that’s exactly like that in the Eastern Conference, it’s no other than the Pacers.

Ironically, Los Angeles has the league’s 10th-best offense while Indiana is ninth. On the defensive side of the ball, the Lakers have improved to 18th while the Pacers are just below them at 19th. Indiana has a high-powered offense led by Tyrese Haliburton, while the Lakers have the same offense with James, who is listed as doubtful on the injury report for this one.

With possibly no LeBron, the Lakers’ offense will most likely run through Austin Reaves, who should have a bounce-back game after shooting 0-9 from the 3-point line against the Warriors. L.A. should also take advantage of the absence of Myles Turner by feasting in the paint — something they’ve done quite well throughout the season.

Note that, like the Lakers, the Pacers are an abysmal rebounding team and without Turner, the purple and gold should win in this department. Rebounds and interior scoring are going to be huge for the Lakers in this one. Hopefully Jaxson Hayes, Mark Williams (if he’s ready to go) and the rest of the Lakers’ forwards are ready. Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin are likely to step up in Turner’s absence.

The best way the Lakers can outscore the Pacers without James is to outshoot them from the 3-point line, even if these two teams are ranked in the bottom tier of the league in 3-points attempted per game. L.A. needs not just Reaves but also birthday boy Rui Hachimura, Dorian Finney-Smith, Hayes and Gabe Vincent all to play really well to keep up with the Pacers’ offense.

Without James, the Lakers are in for a tough one but that’s not to say they don’t have a chance. It’ll have to take their role players performing extraordinarly well which they’re capable of doing. Hopefully, the defensive energy stays the same and L.A. carries their momentum in this one so they can notch their fifth straight win.

Let’s see if the Lakers can beat the Pacers on Saturday.

Notes and Updates

• For the Lakers’ injury report, Luka Dončić (left calf strain), Maxi Kleber (right foot fracture) and Christian Wood (left knee surgery recovery) are listed as out.
• As mentioned, LeBron (left ankle soreness) was downgraded to doubtful while Austin Reaves (left elbow contusion) and Mark Williams (trade pending) are questionable. Bronny James Jr. (G-League) will be with the South Bay Lakers.
• For the Pacers, besides Turner (cervical strain), Isaiah Jackson (right Achilles tendon) is out.
• We will be live on Playback for this game, so be sure to join us!

You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.