Back on their home floor

The Indiana Pacers are coming home after a rough, four-game road trip. They only went 2-2 on the stretch, which, at the very least, ended in a 104-103 escape win over the New York Knicks. With the victory, the Pacers improved into a 15-8 record, good for sixth in the Eastern Conference.

As they gear up to go head-to-head against one of the league’s ultimate elite, the Pacers should have no shortage in confidence. The offense, when executed well, is capable of matching the Clippers’ abilities. Four different players – Domantas Sabonis, TJ Warren, Malcolm Brogdon, and Jeremy Lamb – average 16 or more points per game, three of which are also above 18 PPG. Then there’s Myles Turner, a 6’11 defensive presence that ranks fourth in blocks with 2.5 BPG.

The Pacers are 9-2 at home this season. They are inside the top eight in points allowed (109.2 PPG) and defensive efficiency.

On the second night of a back-to-back

The LA Clippers will enter the game playing on consecutive days. They just gone done cruising past the Washington Wizards on Monday, 135-119, who they have routed for the second time this month. The Clipps bumped their record to 17-7 following the win.

Since tomorrow’s match-up is on the second night of a back-to-back, consider the possibility of Kawhi Leonard or Paul George’s load management taking effect – both may even elect to do so.

Should the superstar duo be incomplete or be absent altogether, the other half of the Clippers’ foursome – Lou Williams (20.5 PPG, 6.2) and Montrezl Harrell (18.7 PPG, 7.9 RPG) – will be filling the holes. Williams and Harrell are actually the two top scorers of the team due to Leonard and George regularly missing games.

The Clippers are 4-6 on the road this season.

PREDICTION:

The Pacers outlast a tired and likely incomplete Clippers, 106-100.