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Game Preview: Pacers at Lakers

Last Updated: Nov. 29 at 12:00 PM

Hickory Night

Sunday's game will be the second of 10 times this season (and first of four road games) where the Pacers will wear their NBA Pride Hickory uniforms, a season-long tribute to Indiana basketball as symbolized by the Academy Award–winning movie, Hoosiers. Learn More About #HickoryPacers »

Matchup

The red-hot Pacers (10-5) are headed West for their first extended road trip of the season, a four-game swing that begins with Sunday's contest against the Lakers (2-13), losers of five straight contests.

Sunday's game will be the first meeting between the Pacers and Lakers since the Blue & Gold dealt center Roy Hibbert to the City of Angels over the summer. The 7-2 Hibbert made two All-Star teams during his seven seasons in Indiana, but the team elected to move in a different direction over the offseason, as Hibbert's game wasn't a great fit with the Pacers' new up-tempo offensive system.

Still, Sunday should be a nice reunion for Hibbert and several of his former teammates and coaches. The "Big Dawg" remains close with several teammates, including his old locker mate Paul George. Hibbert also shares a special bond with head coach Frank Vogel, under whose tutelage he blossomed into one of the best defensive centers in the NBA.

Hibbert is certainly missed in the Pacers' locker room, but his former team is thriving in a new up-tempo system. Indiana has won 10 of its last 12 contests to surge into a tie for 2nd place in the Eastern Conference.

Whatever is the opposite of surging, that's what the Lakers are doing. Los Angeles' .413 shooting percentage is tied for 29th in the NBA, ahead of only the Knicks. Perennial All-Star Kobe Bryant is a shadow of his former self, ranking dead last among 119 qualified players with an abysmal .315 shooting percentage at age 37.

On paper, the Pacers should take care of business against the Lakers, but anything can happen on a given night in this league. After Sunday's contest, Indiana has two days off in L.A. before returning to Staples Center to take on the Clippers. Free time in Hollywood is an enticing proposition to any Midwesterner this time of year, but the Pacers have some business to take care of before they can enjoy a little California sun.

Projected Starters

George Hill

George Hill

Monta Ellis

Monta Ellis

C.J. Miles

C.J. Miles

Paul George

Paul George

Ian Mahinmi

Ian Mahinmi

D'Angelo Russell

D'Angelo Russell

Jordan Clarkson

Jordan Clarkson

Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant

Julius Randle

Julius Randle

Roy Hibbert

Roy Hibbert

Pacers: PG - George Hill, SG - Monta Ellis, SF - C.J. Miles, PF - Paul George, C - Ian Mahinmi
Lakers: PG - D'Angelo Russell, SG - Jordan Clarkson, SF - Kobe Bryant, PF - Julius Randle, C - Roy Hibbert

Injury Report

Pacers: Myles Turner - out (left thumb injury), Jordan Hill - questionable (sore lower back)

Lakers: None

Last Meeting

January 4, 2015: Kobe Bryant scored the Lakers' final nine points, including a game-winning hook shot with 12.4 seconds remaining, to lift Los Angeles to an 88-87 win over the Pacers at the Staples Center.

C.J. Miles led Indiana with 19 points, but only scored two after halftime. Donald Sloan, starting at point guard due to injuries to George Hill and C.J. Watson, flirted with a triple-double and finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists. Roy Hibbert had 12 points and 11 rebounds, while David West added 11 points and eight boards.

Nick Young led the Lakers with 22 points off the bench. Bryant finished with 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting and also tallied six rebounds, six assists, and three steals.

Noteworthy

  • The Pacers had defeated the Lakers three straight times in Los Angeles before dropping last season's contest at Staples Center.
  • Pacers forward/center Jordan Hill signed with Indiana this summer after spending three full seasons and parts of a fourth with the Lakers. Hill averaged 9.9 points and 7.2 rebounds in 178 career games with Los Angeles.
  • Bryant is in his 20th season with the Lakers, an NBA record for most seasons with one organization. Only four other players have played 20 or more seasons in the league: Robert Parish, Kevin Willis, and Kevin Garnett (21), and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (20).

Broadcast Information TV & Radio Listings »

TV: FOX Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Slick Leonard (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)