Why Clippers vs. Pacers Bodes for Close Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Lance Roberson | Last updated Feb 6, 2025 2:26 PM ET

The Indiana Pacers must rinse the sour taste from their mouth after Tuesday's 112-89 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. However, their Thursday night opponent has the same goal. The same night the Pacers took a blowout loss, the Los Angeles Clippers fell to the Los Angeles Lakers 122-97. In the Pacers at Clippers contest, the injury report reveals a tough matchup for the road team.

Los Angeles is 2-3 in its last five games. However, as subpar as such a stretch is for a team with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, the Clippers' injury report for Thursday's game indicates a dangerous opponent for the Pacers.

The Clippers don't have any players listed on their injury report, nor do the Pacers. Yet, despite both teams being healthy, the Pacers' recent loss, in addition to Tyrese Haliburton's zero-point performance vs. the lottery-level Trail Blazers, alludes to the Clippers testing the Pacers in front of the Los Angeles crowd.

The Pacers can't afford to get destroyed on the boards and brick from 3 as they did in Portland. Moreover, with Harden controlling the offense and Leonard lurking as the elite two-player, the Pacers' stars of Pascal Siakam and Haliburton must contribute to the best of their abilities.

If Haliburton comes to play and Siakam performs to his All-Star level, Pacers vs. Clippers should be a fun game that could end in a clutch scenario.