The Lakers and Spurs, who have met twice in the last eight days, will butt heads again tonight in a critical Western Conference showdown. This evening’s game between Los Angeles and San Antonio, which will be broadcast live on ESPN, is scheduled to tip off at 9:30pm ET at the AT&T Center. The latest NBA Odds have the hosting Spurs listed as a -6 against the spread home favorite; the game total is set at 202.5 points.
These two teams met for the first time all season last Wednesday at the AT&T Center. Los Angeles, playing without the injured Kobe Bryant, upset the Spurs 98-84 on the strength of a 16 point, 30 rebound, two block performance from Andrew Bynum.
San Antonio, which sits atop the Western Conference standings with a 45-16 record, exacted some revenge on Tuesday night, though, whipping the Lakers 112-91 at the STAPLES Center. Five L.A. players, including Bynum (team high 21 points), scored in double figures, but defensively the Lakers had trouble slowing the high scoring Spurs.
San Antonio hit a staggering 59.5 percent from the field and it had several standout offensive performers in the statement victory. Tony Parker and Tim Duncan were the stars of the night, however, as they combined for 48 points (23-of-34 FG), 16 assists, and 11 rebounds.
While both of these teams have secured postseason spots, seeding is an issue for each club. The Spurs must keep the second place Thunder at bay (trail San Antonio by just a half game) and the three seeded Lakers are looking to avoid being past by the fourth seeded Clippers.
Fortunately for L.A., Bryant, who leads the Lakers in scoring with a 28.1 points per game average, is expected to return to the lineup tonight after missing the last seven games with a banged up left shin. However, given San Antonio’s recent play, Bryant’s presence may not be enough to get Los Angeles over the hump. The Lakers should not be dismissed, though, as they have won three of their last four against the Spurs at the AT&T Center.
NBA Odds Betting Trend: The Lakers are 8-1-1 against the spread in their last 10 games as a road dog with a spread between 4 and 7.5 and a total between 200 and 205 points.
Want to dominate the books with winning Pro NBA Plays? Get with the best NBA Odds experts in the business, sign up right now and receive NBA Plays Free!
2012 NBA Odds Los Angeles Lakers vs San Antonio Spurs: Provided by Bovada.lv
Los Angeles Lakers +6 (-110), Over 202.5 (-110)
San Antonio Spurs -6 (-110), Under 202.5 (-110)
