Lakers to host surging Indiana Pacers tonight
Pacers forward Paul George is playing at an All-Star level this season, averaging 26.4 points and 8.4 rebounds a game.
The Lakers (2-13) will play their second game in as many days when they host the Indiana Pacers (10-5) Sunday night after losing to the Trail Blazers (7-10) in Portland on Saturday.
Coach Byron Scott and veteran All-Star Kobe Bryant have yet to decide on Bryant’s status for the Pacers, after he played 34 minutes in Portland.
The Lakers will be without Lou Williams, who is with family after the death of his grandfather.
Rookie Myles Turner (thumb) is unavailable for Indiana.
The Pacers have won four straight and eight of 10 to climb into second place in the Eastern Conference, tied with the Miami Heat behind the 13-4 Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Lakers have lost five in a row.
Key matchup
After spending most of last season recovering from a broken leg, Indiana’s Paul George has emerged as one of the best players in the NBA this season.
Coach Frank Vogel has moved George from his natural small forward position to power forward and the Pacers have had success going small.
George is averaging 26.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists a game this season.
He’ll match up against Lakers second-year forward Julius Randle, who is at 11.1 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists.
George is a very strong defender, but Randle has about 30 pounds on the Pacers All-Star.
X-factor
The Pacers get scoring from their backcourt tandem of Monta Ellis and George Hill. The pair combine to average 25.9 points and 9.1 assists a night.
The Lakers rely on the young duo of Jordan Clarkson and rookie D’Angelo Russell, who collectively average 25.2 points and 4.9 assists a game.
Defensively, the Lakers have struggled to handle dynamic guards. As a team, the Lakers yield 105.9 points a night; the Pacers give up just 95.1, while scoring 101.5.
Outlook
Center Roy Hibbert will face his former team while Jordan Hill should be able to do the same after sitting out Friday’s game against the Bulls because of a sore lower back.
The Lakers are still losing games consistently. The Pacers have proved through their first 15 games to be one of the better teams in the league.
Put the Lakers down for their sixth loss in a row.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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