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NBA

Spurs at Lakers Preview

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
4 minute read

By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com

Straight Up (SU), Against the Spread (ATS)

Betting Odds Breakdown

Los Angeles opened as a 12-point home favorite with a total of 228.5.

Eye Test

The Spurs (22-27) have played better since a rough start to the season, while finally covering games after a 6-18-1 ATS beginning to the campaign. San Antonio has cashed in 16 of the last 24 games, including four consecutive covers, capped off by a 108-105 setback to the Clippers on Monday as nine-point underdogs. San Antonio is still on the outside looking in for the Western Conference playoffs as their 22-season streak of qualifying for the postseason is in jeopardy by sitting 2.5 games out of the eighth position entering tonight's play.

The Lakers (37-11) still own the top record in the Western Conference in spite of a rough week which included a 17-point loss at Philadelphia, followed by the untimely death of franchise legend Kobe Bryant on January 26. Los Angeles had a few extra days off after its game against the rival Clippers was postponed, but the Lakers lost in their first game back on the court against Portland last Friday as 13-point favorites. Los Angeles welcomes in another Southwest division foe on Thursday when the Rockets invade Staples Center in a battle of division leaders.

Current Form

San Antonio started its annual "Rodeo Road Trip" with a 108-105 defeat at Staples Center last night. The Spurs owned a nine-point halftime lead, but were outscored, 31-19 in the third quarter to suffer the loss in spite of a combined 53 points from DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge. The "Rodeo Road Trip" kicks the Spurs out of the AT&T Center for several weeks every February as they continue an eight-game road swing tonight which continues through February 23, a week after the All-Star break.

The Lakers went through the rough week of dealing with Bryant's death and then losing to a streaking Blazers' team on Friday. However, the Lakers rebounded on Saturday night with a 129-113 blowout of the Kings as seven-point road favorites, highlighted by a 44-point first quarter. Seven Lakers scored in double-figures, led by Anthony Davis' 21 points and a triple-double from LeBron James. Since dropping four straight games in late December, the Lakers have won 13 of their last 17 contests.

Head-to-Head

The first two meetings this season took place in San Antonio as the Lakers captured both matchups. On November 3, the Lakers (-1.5) held off the Spurs, 103-96, as L.A. limited DeRozan and Aldridge to 7-of-24 shooting from the floor for 22 points. Los Angeles (-4) pulled away from San Antonio on November 25 in a 114-104 triumph as James torched the Spurs for 33 points, while dishing out 14 assists. Both games finished 'under' the total of 217.5 and 222.5, as tonight's total is nearly six points higher than the last meeting at 228.5.

Inside the Stats (Home/Away)

Points Per Game:
San Antonio 113.6 (113.5)
L.A. Lakers 114.0 (113.6)

Points Allowed:
San Antonio 113.8 (115.2)
L.A. Lakers 106.9 (104.4)

Home-Away Records

-- San Antonio 8-15 SU, 13-9-1 ATS
-- L.A. Lakers 16-6 SU, 11-10-1 ATS

Situational (Days Rest)

The Spurs are playing with no rest for the sixth time this season as San Antonio owns a 3-2 SU and 4-1 ATS mark on the second end of a back-to-back. All six games have come on the road, but none have been against teams owning winning records.

The Lakers have excelled on two days of rest by compiling a 9-2 SU and 7-4 ATS ledger this season. However, Los Angeles has failed to cover as a home favorite in the last three situations when they played with two days of rest.

Score Projection

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Betcha Didn’t Know

The Lakers have posted a 2-6-1 ATS record in its last nine instances as a double-digit favorite since December 15, but have won seven times with the only losses coming to Orlando (January 15) and Portland (January 31).

VI Prediction Tool

The VegasInsider.com Prediction resource gives an edge to either team in eight specific categories listed above and there are instances where both clubs receive a positive edge (). Depending on how you weigh the below factors could provide more reason to fade or follow those teams in your wagers.

VI Edge Predictions
Categories San Antonio Spurs Los Angeles Lakers
Eye Test -
Current Form -
Head-to-Head -
Inside the Stats -
Home-Away -
Situational
Score Projection -
Betcha Didn't Know -
Expert Picks - -

Total Talk (Over-Under)

San Antonio: 29-20 (Away, 14-9 Over)
L.A. Lakers: 24-24 (Home, 12-10 Under)

The Lakers are on a 9-2 run to the 'over,' including three consecutive 'overs' cashed at Staples Center.

The last time the Spurs hit three straight 'unders' came back in November as San Antonio is fresh off 'unders' against the Hornets and Clippers.

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