(SportsNetwork.com) - The Indiana Pacers are expected to unveil their newest acquisition Tuesday night when they host the Los Angeles Lakers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Evan Turner, who was acquired with Lavoy Allen from the Philadelphia 76ers on trade deadline day Thursday for Danny Granger, is expected to make his Pacers debut against the Lakers.
"I'm going to keep my eyes and my ears open, try to walk the way they walk and get used to their foundation and standards," said Turner. "I think that's the most important thing."
Turner will be used as a bench player for Indiana, spelling both All-Star Paul George and Lance Stephenson.
Allen is not expected to see action on Tuesday.
The Pacers have alternated losses and wins over their last six and their lead in the Eastern Conference is down to 1 1/2 games over the two-time defending champion Miami Heat.
On Saturday, the trio of George, David West and Stephenson combined for 86 of Indiana's 110 points as the Pacers topped the Milwaukee Bucks 110-100 at the Bradley Center.
George poured in a game-high 32 points after connecting on 5-of-7 shots from behind the arc, West tallied 30 points on 11-of-16 shooting and Stephenson flirted with a triple-double, contributing 24 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
The Lakers have dropped five of their last six, all at home. They embark on a two-game road trip against the Pacers and Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.
On Sunday, the Lakers fell to the Brooklyn Nets, 108-102 in a game that will be remembered for its social significance more than anything else. Jason Collins signed a 10-day contract with the Nets and became the first openly gay player in any of the major sports. Collins was scoreless in 10:37.
The Lakers defense was awful, especially early as the Nets scored 33 points in the first quarter and 30 in the second.
"I did not like our lack of toughness in the first half. We were like a sieve out there. You can't spot those guys that many points," Lakers head coach Mike D'Antoni said.
Pau Gasol totaled team highs of 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Jodie Meeks checked in with 19 points for the Lakers. New acquisition Kent Bazemore went for 17, followed by 11 from Jordan Hill.
Nick Young returned from a six-game absence with a fractured bone in his left knee and chipped in 10 points.
The Pacers beat the Lakers by 12 in the Staples Center on Jan. 28, although the Lakers have won three straight as the visitor in this series.