The Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers will meet in the first-ever NBA In-Season Tournament Championship on Saturday night (8:30 p.m. ET).
Both teams have gone undefeated in In-Season Tournament play thus far, with Tyrese Haliburton guiding the Pacers to recent wins over the Celtics and Bucks, and LeBron James has turned back the clock in wins over the Suns and Pelicans.
Here are the latest NBA odds and best bets for Pacers vs Lakers.
Pacers vs Lakers NBA In-Season Tournament Odds
NBA odds used for these best bets are current as of Friday, Dec. 8, at noon ET and were found at bet365 Sportsbook.
- Moneyline: Pacers (+155) • Lakers (-175)
- Spread: Pacers +4 (-110) • Lakers -4 (-110)
- Total Points: Over 240.5 (-110) • Under 240.5 (-110)
Pacers vs Lakers In-Season Tournament Prediction
Pacers 126, Lakers 123
I’m hesitant to pick an inexperienced team to knock off James and the Lakers, but the Pacers are playing phenomenal basketball. Defeating the Celtics and Bucks — two of the last three Eastern Conference champions — in a playoff-like setting is no joke.
Haliburton has been the key for Indiana, averaging 27.8 points and 13.6 assists (to just 1.83 turnovers, mind you) in six In-Season Tournament appearances. He and the Pacers have embraced an underdog mentality that has driven them to the title game, and their confidence is palpable.
Los Angeles has been just as dominant in its In-Season Tournament games, and despite Indiana’s improved defensive efforts, it still gave up 60 points in the paint to Milwaukee on Thursday. The Lakers rank sixth in that department (54.7 points), so getting out in transition will be paramount for the Pacers.
Ultimately, this may come down to which team has the ball on the final possession. Despite Los Angeles’ experience in these scenarios, I’m siding with Indiana to cap off its improbable run with a championship.
Pacers vs Lakers In-Season Tournament Bets
Over 240.5 (-110)
bet365 Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Indiana’s first two In-Season Tournament elimination games have gone Under the projected totals, but this is an easy Over. The Lakers rank eighth in pace and just put up 133 points in their win over the Pelicans on Thursday, and we know how prolific the Pacers’ offense is.
Overs are just 9-14 in Lakers games this season, but they’re 16-4 for Indiana. Los Angeles has to know it won’t win this game on the defensive end, so expect a high-scoring contest to determine the first-ever In-Season Tournament champion.
Lock in the Over at 240.5 points and make this your NBA bet of the day.
Pacers +4 (-110)
bet365 Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
If last year’s matchups between the Pacers and Lakers indicate what we should expect on Saturday night, the In-Season Tournament Championship game may peak in its inaugural season.
Each game was decided by exactly one point, with the road team winning both contests. Indiana won 116-115 in Los Angeles on Nov. 28, while Anthony Davis led the way in the Lakers’ 112-111 win in Indianapolis on Feb. 2.
Of course, both teams have undergone significant changes since the 2022-23 campaign, but considering how well each squad has performed in the In-Season Tournament, a blowout is the last thing I would expect.
Pacers vs Lakers In-Season Tournament Prop Bet
Please stay tuned for our top prop bet recommendation.
