Indiana Pacers at LA Clippers on Sunday, December 20 looks like a mismatch on paper. Our ratings give the Clippers about a 80% chance, and the Pacers would need an unusual night to change that.
Why the gap is wide
The Win Meter reads the Clippers 80%, with a projected score of Indiana Pacers 110, LA Clippers 118. The rating gap is 142 points in favor of the Clippers, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Clippers on top of that.
A reading this high has real meaning, but upsets of this size happen. Nearly one game in 5 like it goes the other way.
Recent form
The Pacers are 1-0 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -2.2. The Clippers are 1-0 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -2.4.
The Pacers' best recent win was 123-94 on the road against BKN.
The Pacers were beaten 124-104 at home by MIN not long ago.
The Clippers' best recent win was 121-96 at home against SAC.
The Clippers were beaten 116-97 on the road by POR not long ago.
Injuries to watch
Out: T.J. McConnell (IND), expected back Oct 25, 2026, Johnny Furphy (IND), expected back Jan 2, 2027, Ben Sheppard (IND), expected back Oct 28, 2026, Bradley Beal (LAC), expected back Nov 8, 2026, and Max Strus (LAC), expected back Nov 8, 2026.
Day to day or questionable: Aaron Nesmith (IND) and Kobe Brown (IND). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the series is even, with the Pacers outscoring the Clippers by an average of 0.2 points per game. The last meeting was LAC 114, IND 113.