The Los Angeles Lakers overcame a slow start and ragged stretches of play to begin a three-game homestand with an 99-86 victory against the Indiana Pacers. It came despite the Lakers playing without starters Lonzo Ball, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Brandon Ingram, because of injuries.
A patched-together starting lineup unsurprisingly led to stagnant offense and a slew of turnovers. Alex Caruso and Jordan Clarkson were instrumental in swinging the tide in the Lakers’ favor, particularly during a dominant second quarter that saw the Pacers score just 14 points.
Clarkson was the first player to reach double-figures and went on for a fifth-career 30-point game.