NBA: LAKERS RARE UNDERDOGS
The San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers meet for the first time since the Lakers quickly ousted the Spurs in last season’s conference finals.
Sportsbook.com has San Antonio as two-point favorites with a posted Total of 199.5. This is part of ESPN’s regular Wednesday night package which will start at 9 pm ET.
The series between Los Angeles (31-6, 17-20 ATS) and San Antonio marked the sixth playoff meeting in the last decade for these clubs, which again appear to be the class of the West.
Coach Phil Jackson’s Lakers have emerged as the team to beat after eliminating the Spurs 4-1 last season and charging to a 31-6 start this year.
The Lakers have won four straight games and 10 of their last 11, averaging 108.5 points over that span, more than 30 of them from Kobe Bryant.
Bryant had 33 in Los Angeles’ 105-100 win at Houston on Tuesday. Although he made just 13 of his season-high 32 shot attempts, the reigning NBA MVP scored 13 points in the fourth quarter including a key three-pointer with 27 seconds to play.
Where NBA bettors have to be careful is when the Lakers become too offensive-minded. They are 1-4 ATS in their last five games, allowing 109.2 points per game. L.A. is 3-8 ATS in their last 11 after an opponent goes over the century mark in points.
The Spurs (24-12, 17-18-1 ATS) faltered in the final quarter of their most recent game, giving up 31 points en route to a 105-98 home loss to Orlando on Sunday. Tony Parker’s 31 total points weren’t enough for San Antonio, which had won nine of its last 10 games (5-4-1 ATS).
Manu Ginobili, who missed time early this season with an ankle injury, continues to struggle to get untracked. He is averaging 14.5 points, five fewer than last season. Ginobili played through injury in the postseason and was held to 10 or fewer points in four of the five games against the Lakers.
They Spurs are fairly rested, which could work to their benefit with a 29-10 ATS record in home games when playing six or less games in 14 days.
The Spurs may lean on Tim Duncan, who has averaged 23 points and 12.8 rebounds in 68 career games against Los Angeles, including the playoffs. They are 18-6 ATS in home games versus up-tempo teams averaging 83 or more shots a game.
The Lakers are 13-7 ATS as road underdogs of three or less points and are perfect 5-0 against the spread on the road where the total is between 190 and 199.5 points.
Nine of the last 11 meetings between these Western Conference combatants have played Under the total. The Lakers are 29-12 Under off a road win and the Spurs are 16-5 Under after allowing 105 points or more.
The home team won all four games (3-1 ATS) in last year’s regular-season.
Don’t be concerned about Los Angeles playing last night either, they are 16-6 ATS in the second of back-to-back games.
