The Los Angeles Lakers vs Indiana Pacers game is a crucial late-season matchup on Wednesday. Both teams are looking to solidify their playoff positions, with the Lakers trying to snap a four-game road losing streak and the Pacers riding a five-game winning streak. With star power on both sides and high-scoring potential, this game is shaping up to be one of the most exciting matchups of the week.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Indiana Pacers odds (via FanDuel) (March 26, 2025)

The Lakers and Pacers have taken different paths leading into the Los Angeles Lakers vs Indiana Pacers matchup. Los Angeles has struggled on the road, dropping their last four away games, while Indiana has been dominant, winning five straight contests. The Pacers will also be looking to avoid a season sweep, as the Lakers have already secured wins in their previous meetings.
LeBron James and Luka Doncic will lead the charge for the Lakers, who have the offensive weapons to go toe-to-toe with Indiana’s high-paced attack. Meanwhile, the Pacers will rely on Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam to fuel their offense. Given the defensive struggles on both ends, expect a high-scoring battle at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Reasons why the Los Angeles Lakers might cover the spread or win

(March 26, 2025)

Austin Reaves vs the Pacers (Image via Getty)

Despite their recent road woes, the Lakers have a solid case to win or at least cover the spread:
– Offensive balance: Los Angeles averages 113.1 points per game, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis providing consistent scoring threats.
– Free-throw efficiency: The Lakers rank 3rd in free throws made and 4th in attempts, which could be a game-changer in a close contest.
– Improved three-point shooting: The team has been knocking down 35.9% of their threes, giving them a reliable perimeter attack.
– Rebounding advantage: The Lakers average 42.6 rebounds per game, slightly better than Indiana’s 41.2, giving them more second-chance opportunities.
Additionally, Los Angeles is coming off a three-game home winning streak, which could help boost their confidence heading into this crucial matchup. If they can limit Indiana’s transition scoring and force them into half-court sets, the Lakers have a solid chance to pull off an upset.

Reasons why the Indiana Pacers might cover the spread or win

(March 26, 2025)

The Pacers have momentum on their side and several key advantages that could help them secure another victory:
– Elite offense: Indiana ranks among the top-scoring teams in the NBA, averaging 116.6 points per game.
– Depth scoring: Players like Buddy Hield and Bennedict Mathurin provide additional scoring threats, ensuring the offense doesn’t rely solely on its stars.
– Home-court advantage: The Pacers have been strong at home, making it difficult for opponents to steal wins at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Lakers’ defensive struggles on the road, coupled with Indiana’s ability to push the pace, could be the deciding factor. If the Pacers control the tempo and take advantage of Los Angeles’ inconsistencies, they should be able to not only cover the spread but also come away with the win.

Final Los Angeles Lakers vs Indiana Pacers prediction and pick

(March 26, 2025)

Given the Pacers’ recent hot streak and the Lakers’ ongoing struggles away from home, Indiana has the edge in this matchup. With a dynamic offense and the motivation to avoid a season sweep, they are well-positioned to take care of business. The Lakers could make it competitive, but their defensive lapses may ultimately cost them.
Final prediction: Indiana Pacers -1.5 (-112), Over 233.5 (-110).

How to watch the Los Angeles Lakers vs Indiana Pacers game tonight (March 26, 2025)

– Time: 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT
– TV: Spectrum SportsNet, NBA League Pass
Let us know who you are going support tonight in the Los Angeles Lakers vs Indiana Pacers game. Also, don’t forget to follow TOI NBA for the latest updates on everything happening in the world of basketball.
(H/t Fanduel, ClutchPoints)

The New York Knicks are en route to clinching their third consecutive playoff berth in the next week or so, but it remains to be seen who they will match up with in the first round of the postseason.

There are three likely teams that the Knicks could face, and one of them brings an added familiarity in the Indiana Pacers.

The Pacers beat the Knicks in seven games to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals a year ago, but The Athletic insider James Edwards III believes there could be a different outcome if the two teams met up again this season.

“The thing that makes the Pacers the scariest team for the Knicks in the first round is Indiana’s pace. The Pacers, like the Pistons, are playing fast now and will when the postseason starts. That is who they are. New York has already started to show signs of tiring with a few weeks remaining and isn’t a great team in transition or even defensively when things aren’t set. The Knicks have too many mental lapses against teams that get up and down,” Edwards writes.

“The Knicks can win this series with a relatively healthy Brunson, likely in six or seven games. However, considering Indiana plays fast, takes care of the ball, and has a good blend of high-end talent and a bench that ranks 11th in the NBA in scoring and sixth in scoring efficiency, it could prove too much for a New York team that isn’t deep or showing signs of slowing with a few weeks left in the regular season.”

The Knicks won’t be given anything in the playoffs, especially against the Pacers. They will have to earn each and every win if they want to get deeper into the postseason.

Make sure you bookmark Knicks on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns as and so much more!

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Due to multiple injury problems, Jakai Newton never got the chance to show Indiana fans what he could do in his two seasons with the Hoosiers.

Now he will try to show a different set of fans what he might be able to do.

Newton announced via his Instagram feed that he has entered the transfer portal.

Newton only played four games for the Hoosiers, all in the 2024-25 season and all but one of them in nonconference play.

It was a small sampling of the potential that the athletic 6-foot-3 guard had. Injury woes turned his Indiana career into a frustrating two-year endeavor.

Newton was a promising recruit out of Newton High School in Covington, Ga. and part of the Class of 2023 recruiting group that also included Gabe Cupps, and later, Mackenzie Mgbako. Both of those players are also in the transfer portal.

Newton suffered a knee injury during his senior season at Newton. Late in the summer of 2023, Newton had surgery and would not play during what would have been his freshman season.

Given a medical waiver, Newton began the 2024-25 as a freshman, but injuries kept him on the sideline again.

Newton suffered a hamstring injury and an unspecified lower body that he had surgery to repair. He was declared out indefinitely in December and would only return for one more game – a four-minute appearance against Illinois on Jan. 14.

Newton’s appearances with the Hoosiers presented a very small sample size. In the second game of the 2024-25 season, Newton peaked with eight minutes of game time. In his next game, nearly a month later against Sam Houston State, he reached his career high of four points. Newton only attempted six shots in his career.

Newton is the fourth scholarship player to enter the transfer portal. Cupps and Malik Reneau announced their intention to enter the portal last week. Mgbako put himself into the portal earlier on Monday.

Today was the first day the portal was open for all men’s and women’s college basketball, but the portal opened for Indiana players last week after Mike Woodson’s tenure ended as coach.

Darian DeVries was hired last Tuesday from West Virginia as Indiana’s 31st men’s basketball coach.