Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Keys to beating the Pacers in Game 28

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 15: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during a game against the Atlanta Hawks on December 15, 2019 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Dwight Howard #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Alex Len #25 of the Atlanta Hawks fight for the rebound (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2.) Win the rebounding battle

In addition to limiting turnovers, the Lakers also need to win on the glass. The Pacers have some serious rebounding talent in their frontcourt with Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner. The two are averaging a combined 19.2 rebounds per game, with Sabonis averaging the bulk of those at a whopping 13.5 per game. It should also be mentioned that Sabonis is averaging 3.4 offensive rebounds, making him an elite rebounder in every facet.

On the Lakers side, no one on the team is averaging double digit rebounds, as Anthony Davis is the team’s leader at 9.3. However, the Lakers have an advantage in the sense that they have more players averaging rebound numbers in the six to seven range. After Sabonis and Turner, the next leading rebounder on the Pacers is Jeremy Lamb at 4.9 per game.

So while the Pacers have more top-end rebounding talent in Sabonis and Turner, the Lakers have a wider variety of players capable of getting on the glass at an effective level. It’s going have to be a team effort to win the rebounding battle, and if the Lakers aren’t aggressive, Sabonis just might go off for a 20/15 game.

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