Half: Pacers 51, Lakers 45

The Lakers were halfway to an embarrassing defeat tonight, with the Indiana Pacers dragging them yawning and snoring through the first half at Staples Center. Both teams played as if stuffed with Thanksgiving turkey. The Pacers were only slightly better at shooting, passing and rebounding, so they led. The Lakers shot 39.5 percent; the Pacers shot 44.4 percent. The Lakers had 19 rebounds; the Pacers had 25. The Lakers had 12 assists; the Pacers had 12. Kobe Bryant had 18 points and Lamar Odom had 10.