NBA BASKETBALL BETTING PREVIEW - INDIANA PACERS @ LA LAKERS

NBA Basketball

2012-11-27 - Indiana Pacers at LA Lakers

A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown

Indiana Pacers @ LA Lakers
United States: NBA Basketball
Tuesday 27 November 2012 - Tip Off 10:30pm
3:30am (British Time)

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Preview

Mike D'Antoni was the surprise choice for the LA Lakers (7-7) and they are 2-2 under the new Head Coach, although it remains a disappointing start to the new season as they are still not over 0.500. However, this could just be teething problems, while the players have looked much more comfortable with the new system that D'Antoni has brought in rather than the Princeton Offense that was being used by Mike Brown.

It will be interesting to see how the up-tempo Offense works against the Indiana Pacers (6-8), a team that is allowing just 92.2 points per game so far this season.

The problem for the Lakers is still trying to get the best out of Dwight Howard who has not reached double-digits in terms of points in 2 of his last 3 contests. However, the bigger issue is always making sure that Kobe Bryant is happy and he has responded by hitting 51% from the field so far.

Bryant has also been speaking positively about the system and how it enables him to use his talents to get to the free throw line so that will keep the fans from thinking back to Phil Jackson and why the Lakers decided not to bring back the Zen Master.

Indiana have had a few days off to get ready for this game as they continue moving through a tough part of the schedule when 12 of their first 18 games have been set to be on the road. They still have 3 more road games to go after this one, although they should be able to focus on this one fully with 'easier' games at Golden State and Sacramento to come.

It was also telling that Frank Vogel, the Pacers Head Coach, has openly mentioned that the Lakers pose plenty of match up problems for his team. Dwight Howard has always been a problem for Roy Hibbert, while the Lakers ability to shoot the 3 is also an issue for them.

Head to Head

These teams only met once in the lock out shortened season last year and it was Indiana who took the win here by 2 points.

That means the Pacers have won their last 2 visits to the Staples Center, and have snapped a 14 game losing run here against the Lakers.

Prediction

The LA Lakers are still getting used to the new system employed by Mike D'Antoni, but it is one that can lead to blow outs for them as they do set up the three point shot and can pull away.

Indiana are not to be underestimated, but a long road trip can cause issues when things are not going so well and this is a tough match up for them with the Lakers able to pose a lot of problems.

I'll take the Lakers to cover the spread tonight.

The Pick :