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 (2-12). Kobe Bryant & Co. are scheduled to play Saturday night in Portland before returning home to host Indiana.
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’ .412 shooting percentage was tied for last in the NBA heading into Friday night. Perennial All-Star Kobe Bryant is a shadow of his former self, ranking dead last among 122 qualified players with an abysmal .311 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.
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
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.
