NBA’s In-Season Tournament Final: Lakers vs. Pacers Prediction

Another day, another story about the In-Season Tournament. We can’t help it, the tournament’s brought us some of the most exciting games so far this year.

The goal was to give people some exciting and meaningful games, in late November, early December. During a time when the NBA’s known to go through a little bit of a lull in their season.

I think it’s safe to say it’s been a success. The players have bought into the tournament, the fans love it, and it’s been near playoff type atmospheres during these games.

Tonight we get a Final’s matchup I don’t think many predicted. The Los Angeles Lakers will face off with the Indiana Pacers for the first ever NBA Cup.

Let’s get into our breakdown, best bets, and predictions for tonight’s final.

Lakers vs. Pacers Game Information

Matchup Information

• Location: T-Mobile Arena; Las Vegas, California
• Date: December 9th , 2023
• Time: 9:30 PM EST

Betting Odds

Courtesy of Bovada

Spread

• Lakers -4 (-105)
• Pacers +4 (-115)

Moneyline

• Lakers (-175)
• Pacers (+155)

Total

• Over 243.0 (-110)
• Under 243.0 (-110)

Lakers vs. Pacers Breakdown & Best Bets

Zero, that’s the number of turnovers Tyrese Haliburton has had in his last two games; both tournament games, both against powerhouse Eastern Conference teams.

Zero, that’s the number of games both the Lakers and Pacers have lost in the NBA In-Season Tournament.

Zero, that’s the number of fourth quarter minutes both Lebron and Anthony Davis played in their semi-final win against the Pelicans.

The stage is set TONIGHT ?

The sizzling, upstart Pacers and the experience-laden Lakers take their 6-0 In-Season Tournament records into tonight’s Championship ?

Tip-off at 8:30pm/et on ABC… who will capture the first-ever NBA Cup? pic.twitter.com/Xsd5RlZFbp

— NBA (@NBA) December 9, 2023

Both the Pacers and Lakers sit fifth in their respective conferences, both with win percentages under 65%. Yet both teams have dominated over the competition during tournament games.

The Lakers have the 10th ranked defense in the regular season, allowing 112 points per game as a team; that drops to 102 per game (1st) in tournament games. They’re scoring 113 per game (17th) on the year, but 122 per game (5th) during the tournament games.

The Pacers’ number one offense (128.4 ppg) somehow finds a way to score even more points during tournament games, upping their offensive output to 132.7 points per game.

L. James o28.5 Points (-115) via Bovada

Elimination game Lebron. Is there a more fun narrative to bet? If you’ve got one, give it to me. For now though, we’ll have to settle with Lebron.

Lebron averaged 33.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game, in elimination games; his most recent coming against the Pelicans on Thursday night.

James took just 12 field goal attempts, making nine of them for 30 points in just 23 minutes of game time. Tonight he gets the NBA’s worst defense, who also happen to rank 26th in points allowed to power forwards.

Against this same defense, Tatum just scored 32, Giannis had 37, and even Siakam scoring 36.

So we’re looking to Lebron to replicate that same kind of success tonight. With the first ever NBA Cup on the line, look for ‘Bron to come out aggressive tonight.

L. James o28.5 Points (-115) via Bovada

Sprinkle: L. James 35+ Points (+210) | 40+ (+600)

M. Turner o27.5 P/R (-105) via Bovada

Myles Turner, yeah bet you did’t see that coming. Myles Turner has been another guy that has stepped up in a big way for this Indiana Pacers team.

He’s averaging 17.1 points per game and 8 rebounds per game, but both numbers jump during tournament play.

In tournament games, Turner is averaging 20.2 points per game, grabbing 8.5 rebounds, all while shooting 53% from the field and 36% from deep.

Turner’s coming off a 26 and 10 rebound game against Giannis and the Bucks in the semi-finals, and a great 17 and 10 against a much better Celtics’ defense, in the quarter-finals.

Myles’ is also second on the team in usage during tournament play, averaging 13 field goal attempts per game; coming off back to back 16 and 18 shot games.

In his career, Turner is averaging 15.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game against Davis; over an eight game span. But in games where he sees 30+ minutes, Turner has cleared this line in five of six, and the Pacers will need his size and scoring inside if they hope to stay in this game.

M. Turner o27.5 P/R (-105) via Bovada

Sprinkle: M. Turner 25+ Points (+450)

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— Betting News (@YourBettingNews) December 9, 2023

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