Los Angeles Clippers vs. Indiana Pacers: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 12/31/2022

Time: 3 p.m. ET

Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN

Where to watch: BSIN, KTLA, ClipperVision

DraftKings: Clippers -3.5; Clippers -155, Pacers +130; O/U 230.5

FanDuel: Clippers -3.5; Clippers -156, Pacers +132; O/U 230

BetMGM: Clippers -3.5; Clippers -160, Pacers +135; O/U 230.5

Caesars: Clippers -3; Clippers -154, Pacers +130; O/U 230

Clippers: 21-16

Pacers: 19-17

There is nothing better than a matchup between a veteran established team that has championship aspirations against a team that is young and is fighting for respect, while very much entrenched in a playoff picture. And that should be the case in this matchup on Saturday when the Los Angeles Clippers visit the Indiana Pacers. The Clippers we've come to expect what they can be when they're fully healthy. Clearly last season that wasn't the case when they were trying to figure out how to navigate the waters without kawhi Leonard but at least Paul George was able to pick up the slack when available and help push the Clippers to the play in round.

 

The Pacers hope to get to that same level this season, currently sitting at 19-17 with one of the more exciting young players in the league and Tyrese Haliburton leading the charge. The Pacers have won four of their last five with wins over Boston, Miami, and Cleveland just to name a few. In their most recent game, a 135-126 victory over Cleveland, Haliburton finished with 29 points and nine assists on 10 of 19 shooting and Benn Mathurin had 23 points off the bench in 31 minutes. Buddy Hield  also chipped in with 25 points and made five three pointers.

 

It's quite unclear how long Indiana can keep this production up. This is still a very young team, albeit a ton of talent, but perhaps not enough talent to make an impact when we get to April, may, and June period but they do have a quality veteran coach in Rick Carlisle who has been part of this rebuild for the last couple of years and that was always something that never seemed to appeal to the former head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. But he has taken this rebuild in stride, the Pacers have built around him a quality team that can win a bunch of games and it truly is a remarkable situation brewing in Indiana.

 

Indiana has covered six of its last eight games with the only two losses being the outright losses to New York on December 18th and then eight days later against the New Orleans Pelicans in which Indiana lost by 20. We're not going to put a lot of stock into that game because New Orleans is a ridiculously good team this year and is near the top of the Western Conference. So anytime a team like that loses to a talented team like this, you're not really going to be oh really thinking that things are going bad.

 

The Clippers have benefited greatly with the full availability of Leonard and George but the Clippers are coming off a 116-110 loss to the Celtics on Thursday despite covering a 7 point underdogs. Leonard had probably his best game of the season with 26 points and eight rebounds, while George chipped in with 24 points and six assists on 10 of 22 shooting. But as expected as it pertains to the Clippers, if you have no production from anyone else outside of your two superstars, you're going to be in a lot of trouble. Norman Powell was the only other player to cross 15 points as he scored 19 but on five of 12 shooting. That is not going to cut it. The Clippers need someone else to provide some scoring whether it be at the guard position or the wing. Until they figure that out, no one can take the Clippers seriously.

 

The Pacers are getting four points in this one and given the fact that they have been playing really well as of late, this is bound to be a game where Indiana has a chance to really surprise some people. I also don't want to play the George reunion to Indiana though as long as that has been so far, that's still something taking into consideration. But I love this young team and I love where they're heading right now, and I think they have more than enough depth to take out the Clippers in this one. Pacers 115, Clippers 109

Clippers are 135-103 ATS as a road favorite of six points or less since 1996.

Clippers are 12-2 ATS after a non-conference game this season.

Pacers are 98-71 ATS at home in December since 1996.

PG: Reggie Jackson

SG: Paul George

SF: Kawhi Leonard

PF: Marcus Morris

C: Ivica Zubac

PG: Tyrese Haliburton

SG: Andrew Nembhard

SF: Buddy Hield

PF: Aaron Nesmith

C: Myles Turner

None for either team