Indiana limps into Los Angeles with a 15-47 record and a bottom-tier offense (108.6 offensive rating), but the total is still sitting in the mid-230s because the Pacers push pace (102.0, 8th) and their defense hasn’t held up (116.8 defensive rating).
The Lakers (37-25) are laying a big number at home, yet the scheduling spot is tricky: they’re on the second night of a back-to-back after playing in Denver on March 5. Injury news at the top of the roster makes this one worth monitoring right up to tip.
Odds as of 8:53 a.m. ET on March 6, 2026.
Odds & Game Info
Here’s the betting board for Pacers-Lakers.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Matchup | Indiana Pacers @ Los Angeles Lakers |
| Date / Time | March 6, 2026 (10:30 p.m. ET) |
| Arena | Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles, CA) |
| Spread | Pacers +9.5 (-110) | Lakers -9.5 (-110) |
| Moneyline | Pacers +315 | Lakers -400 |
| Total | Over 236.5 (-106) | Under 236.5 (-114) |
Team Overview
A snapshot of form, efficiency, and availability.
| Team | Record (Home/Away) | Last 10 | ATS | O/U | ORtg | DRtg | Pace | Key Injury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana Pacers | 15-47 (Away: 5-25) | 2-8 | 28-34 | 28-34 (Last 10: 7-3 O) | 108.6 | 116.8 | 102.0 | Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) out for season |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 37-25 (Home: 18-12) | 5-5 | 32-29-1 | 32-30 (Last 10: 3-7 O) | 116.3 | 116.1 | 99.4 | LeBron James (elbow) day-to-day |
Team Recaps
Indiana Pacers
Indiana’s profile is pretty clear: they’re trying to run (102.0 pace) but they’re not converting efficiently (108.6 offensive rating, 30th). The shooting has been a problem (52.3% eFG, 29th), and they’re not generating enough second chances (26.6% offensive rebounding rate, 28th).
On defense, the Pacers’ biggest issue is giving away easy points without forcing enough mistakes. They allow a high opponent free-throw rate (29.8%, 28th), and their last-10 defensive trend has dipped (120.3 defensive rating over the last 10, worse than their season baseline).
Injuries matter here: Tyrese Haliburton is out for the season (Achilles). Andrew Nembhard (back) and Aaron Nesmith (ankle) are listed day-to-day but were most recently tagged probable. Pascal Siakam (wrist) is also listed day-to-day.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have the offensive ceiling to separate quickly, even in a back-to-back spot. They’re top-10 in offensive rating (116.3) and elite in shooting efficiency (57.0% eFG, 2nd) while also living at the line (team free-throw rate ranks 1st). That combination is how a favorite covers big numbers without needing a perfect 3-point night.
The weak point is defense: 116.1 defensive rating (22nd) with poor shot-quality prevention (opponent eFG allowed is near the bottom of the league). Still, their last-10 defensive trend is improved (113.7 defensive rating over the last 10), which aligns with their recent under results (7 unders in their last 10).
Scheduling note: Los Angeles played at Denver on March 5, then returns home for this one on March 6 (back-to-back with travel). On the injury report, LeBron James (elbow) is day-to-day after not finishing the March 5 game. Deandre Ayton (knee) is day-to-day after not returning on March 5, and Max Kleber (back) is day-to-day.
Matchup Keys
- Tempo control vs. inflated total: Pacers are 8th in pace (102.0), Lakers are 20th (99.4). If L.A. dictates possessions, 236.5 gets harder to reach.
- Free throws are the swing stat: Lakers rank 1st in FT rate, and Indiana’s defense is 28th in opponent FT rate allowed. That’s “efficient scoring” without needing a hot shooting night.
- Pacers’ offense vs. Lakers’ defense: Indiana is 30th in offensive rating (108.6). Even against a below-average Lakers defense (116.1 DRtg), the Pacers still need an efficiency spike to keep up.
- Rest/travel spot: Indiana has been in L.A. since the March 4 game vs the Clippers, while the Lakers are on a road-to-home back-to-back from Denver.
- Recent totals direction is split: Pacers are 7-3 to the over last 10, Lakers are 3-7 to the over last 10. The market is pricing in pace, but Lakers’ recent games have skewed lower.
Betting Trends
- Pacers are 28-34 ATS this season.
- Pacers are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games.
- Pacers are 28-34 to the total this season.
- Pacers are 7-3 to the over in their last 10 games.
- Pacers are 5-25 straight up on the road.
- Lakers are 32-29-1 ATS this season.
- Lakers are 4-6 ATS in their last 10 games.
- Lakers are 32-30 to the total this season.
- Lakers are 3-7 to the over in their last 10 games (7 unders).
- Lakers are 18-12 straight up at home.
Best Bet
Under 236.5 (-114)
The Lakers’ pace (99.4) is meaningfully slower than Indiana’s, and L.A. has been an under team lately (7 unders in the last 10). Indiana’s offense is also the kind that can quietly sink a huge total: 30th in offensive rating, and they’re not propped up by elite shooting efficiency. Add in the Lakers’ back-to-back travel spot and multiple day-to-day tags at the top of the rotation, and this sets up as a game where efficiency can lag even if the possession count is decent.
Units: 3/5
Predicted Score
Lakers 118, Pacers 109
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