San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers Prediction, NBA Odds
A spot in Las Vegas is at stake when the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers square off tonight in the NBA Cup quarterfinals at Crypto.com Arena in L.A.
San Antonio went 3-1 in the group stage and heads into this matchup with a 16-7 overall record. Los Angeles compiled a perfect 4-0 mark in its Cup group, and its 17-6 overall record is good for second place in the Western Conference behind the Thunder.
These two teams most recently squared off on November 5 at Crypto.com Arena, where the Lakers prevailed 118-116. Los Angeles is a dominant 10-2 in the last 12 head-to-head encounters dating back to the start of the 2022-23 season.
The Lakers are 7.5-point favourites to win on the NBA odds, with the total set at 240.5.
Spurs vs. Lakers NBA Betting Odds
San Antonio is 7-4 against the spread in its last 11 games. Los Angeles is 15-5 ATS in its last 20 overall, 9-2 ATS in its previous 11 at home, and 4-1 ATS in the latest five head-to-head matchups. As for the Over/Under, the Over is 5-1 in the Spurs’ last six contests, 6-1 in L.A.’s previous seven, and 6-1-1 in the last eight head-to-head.
In addition to the more traditional lines, the Spurs’ team total is set at 116.5 (Over -105 | Under -120), and the Lakers’ team total is 120.5 (Over -110 | Under -118).
San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama remains out for San Antonio due to a knee injury. His return from what is currently a 12-game absence is approaching (he even practiced this past Sunday), but the star big man has already been ruled out for Wednesday’s contest. With Wembanyama sidelined, Luke Kornet and Kelly Olynyk will continue to see increased minutes down low. Over the past three games, Kornet has contributed 19 rebounds, nine assists, and eight blocks. Olynyk scored 11 points in Monday’s 135-132 victory over New Orleans.
There is at least some good news on the injury front for San Antonio. Stephon Castle was back on the court against the Pelicans after missing nine games with a hip problem. That marked the first time that the Spurs’ backcourt of Castle, De’Aaron Fox, and Dylan Harper played in the same game.
Los Angeles Lakers
The star power in this matchup would be off the charts if Wemanyama could be on the floor. The Spurs may be hard-pressed to keep up without him, given that they face an opponent armed with LeBron James and Luka Doncic – two of the biggest names in basketball. James may be 40 years old, but he is back from a sciatica issue and just torched Philadelphia with 29 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in this past Sunday’s 112-108 road win. Doncic has been incredible all season long, averaging 35.0 PPG, 9.2 REB, and 9.1 AST.
Home-court advantage as the higher NBA Cup seed should help the Lakers. They had won six consecutive contests inside Crypto.com Arena before falling to Phoenix last Monday.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Spurs vs. Lakers?
The Spurs are solid on the road (7-5), but that record pales in comparison to their 9-2 home mark. This is a difficult proposition going into L.A. without their best player. Los Angeles prevailed by only two points in the first head-to-head showdown this season, but that was when San Antonio had Wembanyama.
It should be slightly more comfortable for the home side in this rematch. Let’s go with Lakers 123, Spurs 116.
SA
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