Last Updated: Nov. 1 at 3:45 PM
Matchup
After dropping back-to-back road games over the weekend, the Pacers (1-2) are hopeful they can rediscover a winning formula when they return to Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday night to host the Los Angeles Lakers (1-2).
Indiana squandered a double-digit lead in the second half of Friday's loss in Brooklyn, then fell into an early hole and never recovered in Saturday's defeat in Chicago.
The Pacers have gotten strong play from their starting frontcourt so far this season. Paul George, Myles Turner, and Thaddeus Young have all scored in double figures in each of the team's first three contests. George has topped 20 points in every game, while Turner has recorded two double-doubles.
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But Indiana hasn't had the same offensive punch from its starting backcourt. Jeff Teague and Monta Ellis combined for 39 points in a season-opening win over Dallas last Wednesday, but struggled mightily during the weekend road trip. They combined for 15 points on 7-of-25 shooting in Brooklyn, then managed just two total points on 1-of-13 shooting in Chicago. Teague is only 7-for-35 from the field in his first three regular season games with Indiana.
The Pacers' backcourt depth has also been tested in the early going, as top backup guards Aaron Brooks and Rodney Stuckey have missed time due to injuries. Brooks has yet to play this season with a sore right knee, though he participated in Tuesday's shootaround and hopes to be on the court against the Lakers. Stuckey suffered a right hamstring strain in Brooklyn and was ruled out for Tuesday after undergoing an MRI on Monday morning.
Lakers legend Kobe Bryant retired last spring after 20 NBA seasons and the Lakers are in full-on rebuilding mode. Los Angeles isn't expected to contend for a playoff spot this season, but does have a nice collection of young talent, including guards D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson, forward Julius Randle, and rookie Brandon Ingram, the second overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
The Lakers scored a season-opening win over the Rockets last Wednesday at Staples Center, but dropped games in Utah on Friday and Oklahoma City on Sunday before traveling to Indianapolis.
Projected Starters
Jeff Teague
Monta Ellis
Paul George
Thaddeus Young
Myles Turner
D'Angelo Russell
Nick Young
Luol Deng
Julius Randle
Timofey Mozgov
Pacers: PG - Jeff Teague, SG - Monta Ellis, SF - Paul George, PF - Thaddeus Young, C - Myles Turner
Lakers: PG - D'Angelo Russell, SG - Nick Young, SF - Luol Deng, PF - Julius Randle, C - Timofey Mozgov
Injury Report
Pacers: Aaron Brooks - questionable (sore right knee), Rodney Stuckey - out (right hamstring strain)
Lakers: Brandon Ingram - probable (right knee tendinitis)
Last Meeting
February 8, 2016: Playing his last game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Kobe Bryant scored 11 straight points to give the Lakers a late lead. But Paul George got the last laugh against the legend, driving past Bryant for the game-winning bucket in the final minute, as the Pacers held off the Lakers, 89-87.
"He came out and performed late, that's what a lot of the fans came to see," George said. "For a second I was stunned. He hit shot after shot after shot."
Bryant quipped: "I pulled the rabbit out of the hat and then the rabbit disappeared."
George led all scorers with 21 points and nine rebounds. George Hill added 15 points and six assists, while Myles Turner added 14 points and a career-high 13 rebounds.
Bryant led the Lakers with 19 points, though he made just 6-of-25 shots. Second-year forward Julius Randle added a double-double, finishing with 15 points and 19 boards.
Noteworthy
- The Pacers have won five of their last six regular season games against the Lakers.
- Indiana has won three straight games against the Lakers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Prior to that streak, Los Angeles won six consecutive contests in Indiana from 2007-13.
- Former Pacers forward Metta World Peace (formerly known as Ron Artest) is on the Lakers roster. World Peace will turn 37 on Nov. 13.
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)
Please Note: Inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Pacers radio broadcasts can be heard on 1080 AM instead of 1070.
Tickets
Good seats still remain for Tuesday's game against the new-look Los Angeles Lakers. Find Tickets »
Home Court Gift Shop Game Night Special
Select Pacers Short Sleeve T-Shirt - $12. Game Night Specials can be purchased in the Home Court Gift Shop or any of our souvenir stands located on all levels of Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The special is also available online at PacersGear.com until midnight.
Construction Note: The Delaware St. entrance to the Virginia Ave. Parking Garage is longer in operation due to the construction of the St. Vincent Center. To enter the Virginia Ave. Parking Garage, please use the entrance located at the intersection of E Maryland St. and S Alabama St.
In addition, the southbound lane of Delaware Street from Maryland to just south of the train bridge will be closed for the duration of the construction project.