The big news for the Pacers is that Myles Turner (neck) has been ruled out. He has missed four games previously this season. Pascal Siakam scored at least 22 points in all four of those games. In three of those games, he scored at least 25 points. Even if Mark Williams is cleared to make his Lakers debut, he’s not exactly a defensive presence inside the paint. This is a great spot for Siakam to shine on the offensive end.

Myles Turner is out for Indiana, meaning Obi Toppin should start and play a fair amount of minutes. Toppin has averaged 15.2 points and 5.0 rebounds in his past five overall when Turner is sidelined (I accidentally did points + assists the first time if you got an alert). The Lakers are without LeBron James, which I actually think affects Toppin a little in terms of rebounds and how much effort he would have to put forth defensively. I will always, always wonder what Toppin's Dayton team would have done in the 2020 NCAA Tournament (canceled due to COVID) as that club was loaded and was a legitimate mid-major champion possibility.

I love to find value with early lines but it always comes with a risk. Watching LBJ be the best player on the court by a mile Thurs night and with Luka by all accounts targeting Sat for his Lakers debut, this looked like a great spot for Lake Show. Now Luka out and LBJ reportedly doubtful and Austin Reeves on the injury report too. Hmm. Maybe everyone sits and Monday is the big reveal. LBJ been playing a ton lately. Pacers can run and score and should be too much for Lakers backups. Hedging my bets here after jumping Lakers a day ago.

It looks like the Luka Doncic debut with the Lake Show will have to wait until Monday against the Jazz after initial reports targeted this game as his lid-lifter with LA. Even without Doncic, the Lakers have been scoring loads of points, better than 126 pg their last four (all wins), and LeBron James warming up for the Doncic debut by scoring 42 in the Thursday win over the Warriors. The Pacers, however, hit Crypto.com hot after winning five of six, scoring at a similar near 127 pg clip over those last five wins, and over again on Thursday in Inglewood in the 119-112 win vs. the Clippers. Play Pacers-Lakers Over

Lakers are playing strong ball despite being shorthanded with AD injured and then traded. LBJ putting them on his back as they covered four straight (by over 25 points on average) and six of their last eight at home. Oh, and I am banking on Luka making his debut here. Pacers did beat the fading Clippers but have some serious defensive issues. Love the energy the Lakers are playing with and while I have some angst about how LBJ and Luka share the ball-dominant role, I am banking on plenty of points and the renewed defensive effort the Lakers have displayed lately. They look to be making power moves to me.