• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Pacers seek fifth straight home win vs. Bryant, Lakers

Feb 2, 2007 - 4:33 PM LA Lakers (27-18) at Indiana (24-21) 7:00 pm EST

INDIANAPOLIS (Ticker) - The Indiana Pacers have been impressive at home lately. Now they must contain superstar Kobe Bryant.

The Pacers shoot for their fifth consecutive home triumph Friday when they host Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Indiana is coming off its fourth win in five games overall, a 103-96 home victory over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday. Jamaal Tinsley scored a season-high 28 points and All-Star Jermaine O'Neal netted 25.

The Pacers are 14-7 at home but just 2-4 vs. Western Conference opponents at Conseco Fieldhouse.

On Wednesday, Bryant bounced back from his one-game suspension with an overwhelming 43-point outburst as the Lakers snapped their three-game slide with a 111-98 victory at Boston.

The reigning scoring champion was suspended by the NBA for accidentally hitting San Antonio swingman Manu Ginobili in the face during Sunday's loss.

"It felt great, felt great," Bryant said of his return. "I just had so much fun playing. I was just really excited to be out there playing. It was fun."

The win improved the Lakers to 1-1 on their season-high eight-game road trip.

Los Angeles and Indiana split its two-game season series a year ago. However, the Pacers have captured three straight matchups here.