Thanks to Victor Oladipo's All-Star-caliber season, the Pacers have reached mid-level respectability. The Lakers are back to being a bottom level type team losting 12 of their last 17 games.

The Pacers played flat in a 100-86 road loss to Portland last night. But they were 5-1 SU and ATS in their previous six games.

It's not too much to ask the Pacers to beat the Lakers especially considering all of LA's key injuries. The Lakers will be missing their starting backcourt of Lonzo Ball (knee) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Achilles). Ball leads the Lakers in assists and rebounds.

In addition, the Lakers also could be missing their two top scorers, Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram. Both are banged up. The Lakers' depth isn't nearly strong enough to compensate for so many missing starters.