It’s an even playing field for both clubs after they both travel to L.A. after playing on the road last night. The Spurs fell 122-117 at Sacramento, dropping them to 11-45 at the basement of the West. Ninth-place L.A. went down to 30-27 with a 128-110 defeat at Golden State. 

LeBron James missed yesterday with a left ankle issue, but coach Darvin Ham is calling James day-to-day meaning he could suit up Friday. It would be the last time James and superstar rookie Victor Wembanyama would face off this season so perhaps that motivates the NBA’s modern day king, as he eventually one day may hand that title off to the 7’4 phenom.

Tip-off at Crypto.com Arena starts at 10:30 p.m. EST with the Lakers -8.5 on the point spread and the over-under set at 239.5 on the NBA odds.

Spurs vs. Lakers NBA Betting Odds

The Spurs have dropped nine of their last 10 games, but unfortunately for them that’s been their norm this season. What’s abnormal is 10 of San Antonio’s last 12 contests finishing under the total. San Antonio averages just under 112 points per game, which is just around the bottom third of the league cut-off and that surprisingly decent offence paired with allowing 120 points per game led to a lot of Spurs overs. Hence why Friday’s total remains around 240.

The Lakers have been playing to the over lately too. Ten of L.A.’s last 15 contests have gone over the total, and 11 of their last 14 times hosting the Spurs have went over. Both Spurs–Lakers matchups this season went over the total and had a minimum of 241 points.

San Antonio Spurs

Prior to their week off, the Spurs laid an absolute egg at Dallas and scored just 93 points in a 23-point defeat. They responded yesterday by scoring 122, albeit well-rested. But San Antonio’s defending again let them down and they couldn’t get ahead and fell 127-122. The Spurs chucked up 98 field goal attempts in the loss, but it’s a statistic they rank in the top five in (91.1 per game) as the youngsters play at a high pace.

2020 first-rounder Devin Vassell scored a team-high 32 last night, his highest output since January 4. Vassell and Wembanyama are right atop San Antonio’s scorers this season, with the latter now averaging a double-double. Wembanyama finished with 19 points, 13 rebounds, five steals, and four blocks yesterday.

Los Angeles Lakers

There was no double overtime comeback, and no LeBron James for the Lakers yesterday against the Warriors who suffered a blowout defeat. A 6-1 run before the All-Star break gave L.A. some breathing room when it comes to qualifying for the Western Conference play-in but now they need to keep going as the post-season begins to be near. And Friday’s no walk in the park with a San Antonio team that can score, especially if James can’t suit up.

Taurean Prince entered L.A.’s starting lineup with James out and finished with 12 points. Anthony Davis led all Lakers with 27 points to go with 12 rebounds. No one on the Lakers bench finished in double-digit scoring, and that’s a group they’ll need to lean on when guys like LeBron can’t play.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Spurs vs. Lakers?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Spurs Team Leaders

SA

Points	Victor Wembanyama 21.44
Assists	Tre Jones 6.21
Rebounds	Victor Wembanyama 10.63
FG%	Charles Bassey 72.5
Steals	Victor Wembanyama 1.24
Blocks	Victor Wembanyama 3.58

LAL

Points	LeBron James 25.66
Assists	LeBron James 8.3
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 12.64
FG%	Jaxson Hayes 72
Steals	LeBron James 1.25
Blocks	Anthony Davis 2.34

SA

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

LAL

Points	Anthony Davis 27.8
Assists	LeBron James 8.8
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 15.6
FG%	Anthony Davis 63.4
Steals	LeBron James 2.4
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.6

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Lakers Team Leaders

SA

Points	Victor Wembanyama 21.44
Assists	Tre Jones 6.21
Rebounds	Victor Wembanyama 10.63
FG%	Charles Bassey 72.5
Steals	Victor Wembanyama 1.24
Blocks	Victor Wembanyama 3.58

LAL

Points	LeBron James 25.66
Assists	LeBron James 8.3
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 12.64
FG%	Jaxson Hayes 72
Steals	LeBron James 1.25
Blocks	Anthony Davis 2.34

SA

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

LAL

Points	Anthony Davis 27.8
Assists	LeBron James 8.8
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 15.6
FG%	Anthony Davis 63.4
Steals	LeBron James 2.4
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.6

Injuries

San Antonio

Zach Collins (PF)

Prob Sun Thumb - 13 / 04 / 24

Malaki Branham (SF)

Out Sun Concussion - 12 / 04 / 24

Malaki Branham (SF)

Prob Wed Hip - 10 / 04 / 24

Keldon Johnson (SF)

Out Sun Foot - 08 / 04 / 24

Julian Champagnie (PF)

Ques Tues Head - 07 / 04 / 24

Cedi Osman (SF)

Out indefinitely Ankle - 03 / 04 / 24

Dominick Barlow (PF)

Out indefinitely Knee - 31 / 03 / 24

Devin Vassell (SG)

out for season Foot - 31 / 03 / 24

Keldon Johnson (SF)

Prob Sun Foot - 30 / 03 / 24

Keldon Johnson (SF)

Prob Fri Knee - 26 / 03 / 24

L.A. Lakers

Cam Reddish (SF)

Out Mon Ankle - 16 / 04 / 24

Cam Reddish (SF)

Prob Wed Personal - 01 / 04 / 24

Gabe Vincent (SG)

Prob Wed Knee - 01 / 04 / 24

Jaxson Hayes (C)

Prob Tues Calf - 31 / 03 / 24

D'Angelo Russell (PG)

Prob Tues Illness - 24 / 03 / 24

Taurean Prince (SF)

Prob Sun Personal - 22 / 03 / 24

Jalen Hood-Schifino (PG)

Out indefinitely Back - 21 / 03 / 24

Cam Reddish (SF)

Prob Fri Ankle - 10 / 03 / 24

Cam Reddish (SF)

Prob Fri Ankle - 07 / 03 / 24

Cam Reddish (SF)

Ques Fri Ankle - 05 / 03 / 24

Injuries

San Antonio

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Zach Collins (PF)	Prob Sun	Thumb - 13 / 04 / 24	1-0	1-0	+ -
Collins is hampered by a left thumb contusion, but it is not expected to affect his status against the Pistons on Sunday.
Malaki Branham (SF)	Out Sun	Concussion - 12 / 04 / 24	1-1	1-1	+ -
Branham missed the last clash while through concussion protocol, and he will not suit up Sunday versus the Pistons.
Malaki Branham (SF)	Prob Wed	Hip - 10 / 04 / 24	2-1	1-2	+ -
Branham is hindered by a right hip contusion, but it is expected that he will be available for Wednesday's matchup with the Thunder.
Keldon Johnson (SF)	Out Sun	Foot - 08 / 04 / 24	2-2	2-2	+ -
Johnson has been absent from the last three contests with a left foot injury, and he will not partake in Sunday's clash with the Pistons.
Julian Champagnie (PF)	Ques Tues	Head - 07 / 04 / 24	3-2	3-2	+ -
Champagnie exited the last game with a head laceration, and it is yet to be determined if he will take the floor against the Grizzlies on Tuesday.
Cedi Osman (SF)	Out indefinitely	Ankle - 03 / 04 / 24	5-2	4-3	+ -
Osman is sidelined with a right ankle injury, and team officials have not yet confirmed an exact return date.
Dominick Barlow (PF)	Out indefinitely	Knee - 31 / 03 / 24	6-2	5-3	+ -
Barlow is idle due to a left knee bone bruise, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Devin Vassell (SG)	out for season	Foot - 31 / 03 / 24	6-2	5-3	+ -
Vassell will sit out the remainder of the 2023-24 season due to a stress reaction in his left foot.
Keldon Johnson (SF)	Prob Sun	Foot - 30 / 03 / 24	6-2	5-3	+ -
Johnson has sat out the previous three contests with a left foot sprain, but it is projected that he will suit up for Sunday's showdown versus the 76ers.
Keldon Johnson (SF)	Prob Fri	Knee - 26 / 03 / 24	8-2	6-4	+ -
Johnson missed the last game with right knee soreness, but it is not expected to affect his status for Friday's battle with the Knicks.

L.A. Lakers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Cam Reddish (SF)	Out Mon	Ankle - 16 / 04 / 24	3-2	2-3	+ -
Reddish is hampered by a right ankle sprain, and he will not suit up against the Nuggets in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round.
Cam Reddish (SF)	Prob Wed	Personal - 01 / 04 / 24	6-6	7-5	+ -
Reddish was absent from the last match while tending to a personal matter, but it is anticipated that he will dress for Wednesday's showdown versus the Wizards.
Gabe Vincent (SG)	Prob Wed	Knee - 01 / 04 / 24	6-6	7-5	+ -
Vincent missed the previous contest with a left knee injury, but it is not expected to impact his status against the Wizards on Wednesday.
Jaxson Hayes (C)	Prob Tues	Calf - 31 / 03 / 24	6-7	7-6	+ -
Hayes missed the last game with a left calf contusion, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Tuesday's clash with the Raptors.
D'Angelo Russell (PG)	Prob Tues	Illness - 24 / 03 / 24	9-8	10-7	+ -
Russell missed the last game ailing from an illness, but it is anticipated that he will take the court against the Bucks on Tuesday.
Taurean Prince (SF)	Prob Sun	Personal - 22 / 03 / 24	10-8	11-7	+ -
Prince missed the last contest due to a personal matter, but it is expected that he will suit up against the Pacers on Sunday.
Jalen Hood-Schifino (PG)	Out indefinitely	Back - 21 / 03 / 24	10-8	11-7	+ -
Hood-Schifino is idle after undergoing a lumbar microdiscectomy procedure, and the severity of the ailment is unknown.
Cam Reddish (SF)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 10 / 03 / 24	12-10	14-8	+ -
Reddish has been absent the previous four games due to a right ankle sprain, but it is anticipated that he will take the floor against the 76ers on Friday.
Cam Reddish (SF)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 07 / 03 / 24	13-11	15-9	+ -
Reddish is expected to lace up for Friday's matchup with the Bucks despite a right ankle sprain.
Cam Reddish (SF)	Ques Fri	Ankle - 05 / 03 / 24	13-12	16-9	+ -
Reddish missed the last game nursing a right ankle sprain, and it is yet to be determined if he will take the court Friday against the Bucks.