We wrap up an incredible Friday slate of NBA basketball in the City of Angels when the Indiana Pacers (15-47) travel to Crypto.com Arena to take on the Los Angeles Lakers (37-25).
This is the first of two meetings between these two teams this year, and it’s a game the Lakers shouldn't afford to lose. They're tasked with taking care of business on the tail end of a back-to-back, though, after suffering a tough loss in Denver last night.
Pacers vs. Lakers tips off at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday from Los Angeles, CA.
Below, we’ll break down our Pacers vs. Lakers prediction and Friday NBA picks for PrizePicks. Use PrizePicks NBA to make picks on player projections and earn real money if you’re right.
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Pacers vs. Lakers Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
Despite their Cinderella story run to the NBA Finals last year, many expected the Pacers to take a sizable step back this season without PG Tyrese Haliburton, who tore his Achilles at the end of the playoffs. The second-worst record in the NBA was perhaps a bigger step back than most pundits may have predicted.
However, the future is still bright for this Pacers team that is potentially tracking to land a top pick in this year’s loaded NBA Draft. Pairing that prospect with a healthy Haliburton, F Pascal Siakam, and newly-acquired C Ivica Zubac may see this team back at the top of the Eastern Conference standings next season.
The Lakers' biggest issue has been staying healthy. Their big three of PG Luka Doncic, SG Austin Reaves, and F LeBron James have missed a combined 56 games, which is not a recipe for success given their lack of quality depth.
The Lakers squandered a great opportunity to pass Denver in the standings and take control of the No. 5 seed in a congested Western Conference playoff race.
Instead, they now sit at the sixth and final spot in the playoff picture, only two games ahead of the Phoenix Suns. Aiming to avoid letting that compound vs. a bottom-dweller, there may be added attention on tonight’s matchup.
Pacers vs. Lakers Spread, Over/Under
The Lakers enter Friday’s game as 8.5-point home favorites, returning a 1.2x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Pacers are road underdogs with a 4.16x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks, where you can earn money with your picks in 34 states.
- Spread: Los Angeles Lakers -8.5 (1.72x payout)
- Over/Under: 234.5 (1.75x payout on over)
- Game Winner Payout: Lakers 1.2x | Pacers 4.16x
Team Picks payouts are live as of writing and are subject to change.
Pacers vs. Lakers Injury Report
Let’s dive into the full Pacers vs. Lakers injury report for Friday, via NBA.com.
Indiana Pacers Injury Report
- G Andrew Nembhard (Soreness): Probable
- F Pascal Siakam (Wrist): Probable
- SG Aaron Nesmith (Ankle/Back): Probable
- C Ivica Zubac (Ankle): OUT
Los Angeles Lakers Injury Report
- C Deandre Ayton (knee): OUT
- F LeBron James (elbow, foot): OUT
- C-PF Maxi Kleber (back): OUT
Pacers vs. Lakers Prediction on Spread
Here are the key stats to know before locking in your Pacers vs. Lakers prediction on the spread for Friday, March 6, on PrizePicks.
- The Lakers are 33-29-0 (53.2%) against the spread (ATS).
- As home favorites, L.A. is a monstrous 14-7-0 (66.7%) ATS, the best cover percentage in the NBA.
- The Pacers are 11-16-0 (40.7%) ATS as road underdogs, the seventh-worst mark in the Association.
- Over their last 10 games, the Pacers have the third-worst net rating in the NBA at -11.7. This is a full 13.8 points less than the Lakers (+2.1) over that same timespan.
- On the season, the Lakers rank second in effective field goal percentage (57%) and true shooting percentage (60.6%)
- The Pacers, meanwhile, check in at second-to-last in both aforementioned categories at 52.3% and 55.9%.
Pacers vs. Lakers Picks for PrizePicks Today: 3/6/26
Here are two of the top Pacers vs. Lakers to consider for Friday, March 6, on PrizePicks. Today’s NBA picks for PrizePicks are headlined by F Pascal Siakam and PG Luka Doncic.
Pacers F Pascal Siakam vs. Lakers Projection: 31.5 Pts + Rebs + Asts
- Siakam averages 34.6 points, rebounds, and assists (PRA) per game.
- The veteran forward averages 1.6 more points and 0.5 more rebounds away from home. He also shoots 41% from deep on the road as opposed to 33.1% at home.
- For as good as the Lakers' offense has been, their defense has been equally as bad. For the season, they rank 22nd in the NBA in rating (116.1).
- Los Angeles allows opponents to shoot 48.5% from the field, the fifth-worst mark in the NBA, also ceding the 10th-most assists per game at 27.5.
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Lakers PG Luka Doncic vs. Pacers Projection: 52.5 Pts + Rebs + Asts
- Over their last 10 games, the Pacers have a defensive rating of 120.3, fourth-worst in the NBA.
- For the season, Indiana has given up 119.7 points (26th) and 46.8 rebounds (28th) per game.
- This is a notable tempo-up game for Doncic and the Lakers, who rank 20th overall in pace, while the Pacers rank eighth.
- In his only home game vs. the Pacers last season, Doncic went for 34-7-15 (56 PRA).
Make Pacers vs. Lakers Picks on PrizePicks
Despite the potential for a lopsided battle, there are still plenty of ways to take Pacers vs. Lakers picks to the next level.
You can make your picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 34 states.
Stick around with the Playbook for continued NBA predictions, picks, and news.
