By Eric Pincus Los Angeles Times

5:51 p.m. AKDT, March 15, 2013

The Lakers shot 35.7% from the field but matched the Pacers' defensive intensity, holding Indiana to 30.8% from the field with nine turnovers.

Paul George led the Pacers with 12 points. Lance Stephenson had 10.

Pacers 19 - Lakers 16 (end of first quarter)

Kobe Bryant played through a sprained ankle, making a surprise start against the Indiana Pacers despite being called "out indefinitely" on Wednesday.

The Lakers survived a slow start against the Pacers to close within three despite falling behind by as many as 11. Metta World Peace hit a pair of three-pointers. Steve Blake tricked D.J. Augustin into a bad foul with 0.4 seconds left to help the Lakers close the period with eight straight points.

Bryant didn't score in the period. Lance Stephenson led the Pacers with eight.

Both Dwight Howard and Roy Hibbert sat relatively early in the period with foul trouble.

Pregame

When the Lakers (34-32) visit the Pacers (40-24) on Friday night in Indianapolis, they'll do so with Kobe Bryant in the lineup. Despite a severely sprained left ankle, Bryant will be starting for the Lakers.

[Updated, 3:38 p.m.: An earlier version of this post said Bryant was a game-time decision. The team has since listed Bryant as a starter in tonight's lineup.]

It will be a difficult task for the Lakers to beat the second-best team in the Eastern Conference with Bryant limited by the ankle injury. 

Pau Gasol is almost, but not quite, back from a foot injury.

For a more in-depth breakdown, check out Preview: Lakers vs. Pacers.

 

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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.