The Indiana Pacers absolutely destroyed the Lakers on Tuesday night, and they will try to repeat that performance against the other team from LA. The Clippers are in the middle of a long road trip that has seen them go 2-1 in their first three games. Indiana has won four straight games against the Clippers dating back to the 2016-17 regular season.
The Pacers have won three straight games and are near the top of the Eastern Conference with a record of 35-19. Indiana has gone 19-7 at home so far this season, and are one of the best defensive teams in the league. The Clippers come into this game with a record of 30-25, but things are about to change for the team from Los Angeles. The Pacers are 4.5 point favorites over the Clippers on Thursday night.
Clippers Make a Big Trade
The Los Angeles Clippers appear to be giving up on this season even though they are currently in the playoff race in the Western Conference. Los Angeles sent Tobias Harris to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for young talent and cap relief. Harris was averaging 20.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game for the Clippers, and they don’t have anyone on the roster that can replace those numbers.
The Clippers have been one of the top ten scoring teams in the league this season, but this trade will force them to make some changes. Los Angeles also needs to improve on the defensive end as they are allowing close to 114 points per game. You can bet that head coach Doc Rivers will find a way to get his team to compete, but they will be undermanned in a big way on Thursday.
Pacers Have Figured Things Out
Indiana suffered a tough blow when Victor Oladipo was lost to injury earlier this season, but they seem to have figured things out. Oladipo was leading the team with 18.8 points per game, but the Pacers are starting to get more contributions from everyone. The Pacers still don’t score much, averaging just 108.4 points per contest, but their defense has held that up on most nights. Don’t sleep on the Pacers in the Eastern Conference.
The Pacers are giving up just 103.5 points per game this season, which is the second lowest mark in the NBA. Center Myles Turner is the anchor of the Pacers defense, leading the NBA with 2.67 blocks per game. Even with Oladipo out of the lineup, the Pacers still have six different players averaging double-figures. The Pacers made 19 three-pointers on Tuesday night against the Lakers, and their offense has been on a roll of late.
Pacers Blow Out New-Look Clippers
This would have been a great matchup earlier in the week, but the Clippers blew up their team on Tuesday night. Teams always struggle after making a big trade, and the Clippers will be in disarray on Thursday night. The Pacers might be without Oladipo, but they are still one of the better teams in the East. Bet the Indiana Pacers -4.5 over the Los Angeles Clippers.
