Tip-off: Tuesday, 7:05 p.m. ET
Line: Indiana -13.5, Total: 206.5

The Lakers hit the road on Tuesday night to take on a Pacers team that is looking to win back-to-back games for the first time since Feb. 7.

Los Angeles is coming off of a 108-102 loss to the Nets Sunday in Brooklyn, making the team 3-12 SU (7-8 ATS) in its past five games. The Lakers' defense has been miserable this season, allowing 105.9 PPG (2nd-worst in NBA). Over the past five games it has been even worse, allowing 107.4 PPG. Indiana opened the month with four straight wins, but has alternated wins and losses in each of the past six contests (1-4-1 ATS). But the Pacers have won two of their past three games, averaging 103.0 PPG during that span. They remain the NBA's best defensive team, allowing just 90.9 PPG on 41.3% FG (33.2% threes), so the style of play will not benefit the Lakers. These teams last met on Jan. 28 when the Pacers defeated the Lakers 104-92 as 10.5-point road favorites, making them 3-1 (SU and ATS) in the past four meetings between these teams. Los Angeles is 7-0 ATS after trailing in its previous game by 15+ points at the half this season. They are, however, 5-15 ATS in road games off a home loss over the past three seasons. The Pacers are 8-1 ATS after two or more consecutive Overs this season. Lakers SG Nick Young (knee) is doubtful for this game, but SG Evan Turner is likely to make his Pacers debut on Tuesday night.

Can the heavy underdog Lakers keep the score close on Tuesday night? For the answer, connect to The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks throughout the entire 2012-13 season. The five StatFox experts have been sizzling in NBA Best Bets recently with a 62% ATS record (31-19-1) since Feb. 10. StatFox Dave has a stellar 60% ATS (36-24-1) Best Bets record since Dec. 1 and is 55% ATS (46-38-1) on Best Bets for the season. StatFox Zach has a strong 58% ATS mark (33-24-3) on Best Bets since Dec. 1 and is 54% ATS (44-38-3) on Best Bets for the season. StatFox Brian is catching fire, going 73% ATS (16-6-1) since Jan. 25 and 61% ATS (31-20-1) in Best Bets since Dec. 12, while StatFox Gary is on a 5-2 ATS run since Feb. 12.

The Los Angeles Lakers lost a close game in Brooklyn Sunday night (108-102) after a nice 101-92 home victory over the Celtics on Friday. The team has undergone some changes in the past few weeks and one player who was acquired and is really coming on strong is SG Kent Bazemore (2.9 PPG). Bazemore saw very little time with the Warriors, but is averaging 16.0 PPG in 31.0 MPG in his two games with the Lakers. Bazemore has a real chance to show he can be a legitimate starter in this league, as a similar performance against the Pacers would be very impressive. PF Pau Gasol (17.1 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 1.5 BPG) did everything he could to keep the Lakers in the game against Brooklyn, finishing with 22 points (8-of-12 FG), 11 rebounds and one block. Gasol will need to find a way to score despite being checked by the taller and thicker Roy Hibbert, who will be very physical with Gasol in this one. PG Kendall Marshall (10.1 PPG, 9.6 APG) is averaging 7.5 APG over the past two contests, but is playing just 24.0 MPG in those games compared to the 32.2 MPG he’s getting on the season. His playmaking skills will need to be on point Tuesday if the Lakers are going to find any holes in the Pacers defense.

Indiana is coming off of a 110-100 victory in Milwaukee on Saturday, but the team has hit a bit of a rough patch for its own lofty standards. Indiana has alternated wins and losses over the past six games and will look to break that trend and stay hot in order to finish the season with the Eastern Conference’s top seed. SF Paul George (22.7 PPG) has been on fire for the Pacers recently, averaging 33.5 PPG over his past two contests. The Lakers will have trouble with the All-Star, as they don’t have a small forward who can stick with George all game. One player who must get back on track for Indiana is C Roy Hibbert (11.5 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 2.5 BPG). Hibbert is averaging just 4.0 PPG and 5.5 RPG over the past two contests and that must change if the Pacers are going to get back to their dominant ways. PF David West (13.9 PPG, 6.5 RPG) has really stepped it up for Indiana, pouring in 30 points in the win over Milwaukee. He will be a matchup problem for the Lakers and could be an X-factor in determining who wins this contest. SG Evan Turner (17.4 PPG, 6.0 RPG) will make his Pacers debut on Tuesday and he could provide instant offense for the second unit.