Indiana Pacers (19-17) vs Los Angeles Clippers (21-16)
Game Info: Saturday, December 31, 2022 at 3:00 pm (Gainbridge Fieldhouse)
Betting Odds: Indiana Pacers +3.5 -- Over/Under: 229 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: Bally Sports Indiana, KTLA, ClipperVision Stream live sports and exclusive originals on ESPN+. Sign up now! 
The Los Angeles Clippers pay a visit to the Indiana Pacers at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday.
The Los Angeles Clippers have been in fine form as they’ve won seven of their last 10 games overall, but they will be hoping to bounce back in this one after getting stopped by the Celtics in a 116-110 road loss on Thursday. Kawhi Leonard led the team with 26 points, eight rebounds and three assists, Paul George added 24 points with six assists while Norman Powell chipped in with 19 points off the bench. As a team, the Clippers shot 48 percent from the field and 15 of 39 from the 3-point line as they exploded for 36 points in the third quarter to overcome an early 13-point deficit, but they let it all slip in the fourth quarter where they allowed the Celtics to go on a 24-13 run to pull away in the end. Reggie Jackson had a quiet game of just eight points on three of nine shooting while Nicolas Batum left in the first quarter after spraining his left ankle.
Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers have been in decent shape as they’ve won four of their last five games and they will be aiming for a third straight victory after beating the Cavaliers in a 135-126 home win on Thursday. Tyrese Haliburton led the team with 29 points and nine assists, Buddy Hield added 25 points on 10 of 14 shooting, Benedict Mathurin scored 23 points off the bench while Aaron Nesmith chipped in with 22 points. As a team, the Pacers shot 56 percent from the field and a sizzling 19 of 31 from the 3-point line as they struggled to keep pace with the Cavaliers early on and trailed going into halftime, before they exploded for 71 points in the second half to make it look easy in the end.
Looking at the betting trends, the Clippers are 5-1 ATS in their last six road games, 4-0 ATS in their last four games following a loss and 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall. The Pacers are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 home games, 4-1 ATS in their last five games against a team with a winning record and 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall.
Head to head, the under is 6-2 in the last eight meetings in Indiana and the Clippers are 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings overall.
The Clippers could be shorthanded for this one as Reggie Jackson and Nicolas Batum are both questionable, while the Pacers are still missing Chris Duarte and Kendall Brown. The Clippers come into this game as the team in better shape and they’ve been the more consistent team overall, but the Pacers looked great in their big win over the Cavaliers and they are dangerous if Haliburton gets hot again. This one could go either way, but with the line so short, I’ll back the Clippers who are 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings overall.
Peter’s Pick Los Angeles -3.5
AUTHOR: Peter Tran
Mitch's Take...
