Free NBA Pick: Spurs vs. Lakers NBA Odds
Looking for San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Spurs taking on the Lakers on Thursday, December 23rd, 2021 at Staples Center. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Spurs Lakers matchup.
2021 NBA Handicapping
(12-18) San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers (16-16)
Date: Thursday, December 23rd
Time: 10:30 PM EST
Venue: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
NBA Moneyline Odds: Spurs +111 | Lakers -118 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Lakers -1.5
NBA Betting Total: 223.5
Thursday, December 23rd finds the San Antonio Spurs facing the Los Angeles Lakers for the third time this season. LA won both prior matches on October 26th in overtime (125-121) and November 14th (114-106).
They’ll play once more this season on March 7th in San Antonio.
The Spurs played a back-to-back set on Sunday/Monday splitting the series losing 114-121 to the Kings and pounding the Clippers 116-92 while the Lakers last played Tuesday in a 90-108 loss to the Suns.
Last season, the squads played three times with the Lakers winning two of the three contests. The Spurs hold the all-time record having bested the Lakers in 90 of their 179 matches.
San Antonio Spurs
The young Spurs are playing better of late amassing an 8-4 record through their last 12 matches with efforts like their 116-92 rout of the Clippers on Monday.
Dejounte Murray registered his third triple-double in five games with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists plus five steals. All five starters plus Bryn Forbes posted double-figure scoring efforts.
Jakob Poeltl (17 points, 11 rebounds plus five assists, three steals, and two blocks) and Keldon Johnson (12 points, 12 rebounds). Doug McDermott (16), Derrick White (15) and Forbes (10) filled out the scoring onslaught.
San Antonio had to overcome an embarrassing 6 to 20 trips to the free throw line but won all the key categories including rebounding (67 to 43), perimeter shooting (12 to 9), assists (37 to 18), fast break scoring (18 to 10), and paint scoring (68 to 44).
It was perhaps the most complete effort the Spurs have delivered this season.
The Spurs are one of the few teams without any players out in quarantine or multiple players out injured. Zach Collins (ankle) is the only Spurs player sidelined as he heals from offseason ankle surgery.
Los Angeles Lakers
LA are on a three-game losing streak but get a break in the schedule with six of their next eight games against teams with sub .500 records. They’ll need to win the majority of those matches as starting January 12th they’ll be on the road for 11 of 16 matches.
In the loss to the Suns, LeBron James did his best to lead the Lakers with 34 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals. He stepped on Jae Crowder’s foot during the game twisting the ankle but played through it.
Russell Westbrook posted a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds. While newly signed Laker Isaish Thomas had a great debut his second game was less successful as he shot 1 for 11 scoring a meager three points.
Likewise, the return of Talen Horton-Tucker from quarantine highlighted his time off the court as he shot 1 of 13. Trevor Ariza was the only other double-figure scorer with 12 points and Carmelo Anthony was ejected after picking up his second technical in the third quarter.
Anthony Davis (MCL) is out for a month minimum. Dwight Howard and Talen Horton-Tucker are out of quarantine with the latter playing Tuesday but both listed as questionable for Thursday.
Avery Bradley, Malik Monk, Kent Bazemore and Austin Reaves remain in quarantine with differing reports on whether they are out or questionable. Kendrick Nunn (knee) remains out indefinitely.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Spurs are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games.
- The Lakers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games at home.
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Antonio’s last 8 games.Lakers
- The total has gone UNDER in 7 of LA Lakers’ last 8 games.
Free San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers NBA Prediction:
The spread of a meager 1.5 points at home speaks to the Lakers struggles of late and simultaneous Spurs rise. The question is how healthy LeBron is after tweaking his ankle Tuesday and a separate report of a possible abdominal issues.
Since this is the game that will lead into the Christmas slate undoubtedly James will be laser-focused on ending the three-game losing streak to avoid the inevitable “what’s wrong with the Lakers talk?
Not sure LA has the depth to deal with the Spurs athleticism but let’s call it a close battle with LA prevailing.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Lakers -1.5
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