The NBA is down to its version of the Final Four, and Los Angeles and San Antonio continue their best-of-seven series in the Western Conference finals. The Spurs are the defending champions, but it was the Lakers that appeared to have the veteran moxie after a thrilling Game 1 victory.

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San Antonio (64-31 straight up, 45-48 against the spread) started this series with every conceivable excuse to drop the opener, only to find itself in excellent position to steal Game 1. The Spurs just concluded a grueling seven-game series with New Orleans, and were stuck on their flight for several hours before finally making it to Los Angeles Tuesday morning. San Antonio is also going against the top seed in the West that is 7-0 at Staples Center in the postseason, adding to a 13-game home winning streak.

Los Angeles (66-27 SU, 54-37 ATS) rallied in Wednesday’s Game 1 as a 7 ½-point home ‘chalk,’ 89-85, while the combined 174 points never seriously threatened the 195 ½-point closing total. The Lakers rallied from a 20-point second-half deficit to prevail, ranking as the second-biggest rally after halftime in a postseason game since 1998.

Caesars Palace installed Los Angeles as a 6 1/2-point home ‘chalk’ over San Antonio in Friday’s Game 2, with the total set at 193. TNT will provide coverage of this game from Staples Center beginning at 9:05 p.m. ET. The Lakers are currently listed as a $3.60 favorite (bet $360 to win $100) to win this series and advance to the NBA Finals, while the Spurs are a $2.80 underdog (bet $100 to win $280).

San Antonio enjoyed a seven-point lead heading into Game 1’s fourth quarter, but was outscored in the final stanza, 24-13. The Spurs shot just 3-of-21 in the fourth quarter, including 1-of-9 from behind the arc. San Antonio shot a blistering 50 percent in the first half while dishing out 12 assists along with just two turnovers. However, the Spurs struggled to 29 percent shooting after halftime with four assists and 10 turnovers.

San Antonio center Tim Duncan led all scorers with 30 points on 12-of-25 shooting while also grabbing 18 rebounds. Point guard Tony Parker accounted for 18, 10 and six assists in a losing effort, while backcourt-mate Manu Ginobili struggled with just 10 points on 3-of-13 shooting.

Los Angeles shooting guard Kobe Bryant had just two points at halftime, but finished the contest with 27 on 11-of-21 shooting while also dishing out nine assists. Pau Gasol enjoyed a solid effort with 19 points and seven rebounds.

The Lakers concluded the contest by shooting 43 percent (35-of-81) from the field, including 40 percent (4-of-10) from behind the arc. While San Antonio’s biggest lead was 20 points, Los Angeles enjoyed its biggest lead at the final buzzer.

San Antonio has struggled to a 24-24 SU and 18-30 ATS road record, with the ‘under’ going a solid 29-18. The Spurs have been dropping their road endeavors this year by an average score of 93-92.

Los Angeles sports a 36-11 SU and 24-23 ATS ledger on its home court, with the ‘over’ going 25-21. The Lakers are winning their home games by an average score of 111-101.

Los Angeles has now won 15 of the last 22 postseason matchups with San Antonio. The Lakers are 52-7 when winning Game 1 of a best-of-seven series. Los Angeles has also beaten the Spurs in seven of the previous 10 postseason contests, including all three in the conference finals. These two rivals are meeting in the postseason for the sixth time since 1999.

Brad Young can be reached at byoung@vegasinsider.com.