The Los Angeles Lakers travel to the Frost Bank Center to battle the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night. Here’s a San Antonio Spurs vs LA Lakers Prediction. This article will include a San Antonio Spurs vs LA Lakers Pick.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are starting to heat up now as they have won four of their last six games and they are gunning for a fourth straight victory after sneaking past the Grizzlies in a 128-123 home win on Wednesday. LeBron James led the team with a triple-double of 35 points with 12 rebounds and 14 assists, Anthony Davis added 21 points with 14 rebounds and three blocks while Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht each scored 19 points. As a team, the Lakers shot 50 percent from the field and 20 of 41 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in trouble when they allowed the Grizzlies to erase their 15-point lead before the Lakers finished with a flurry of 37 points in the fourth quarter to come away with the gritty win and improve to a perfect 6-0 at home this season.
San Antonio Spurs
Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs are in similar form as they’ve won three of their past four games overall and they will be aiming for a third straight victory after taking down the Wizards in a 139-130 home win on Wednesday. Victor Wembenyama drained eight 3-pointers to lead the team with 50 points on 18 of 29 shooting, Devin Vassell added 17 points off the bench while Julian Champagne chipped in with 12 points. As a team, the Spurs shot 52 percent from the field and 18 of 44 from the 3-point line as they traded with the Wizards in a free-flowing first half where both teams scored 67 points before they exploded for 41 points in the third quarter to take a 21-point lead and put the game to bed early. The Spurs will meet the Mavericks and Thunder after this game.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Spurs have lost each of their last six home games against Pacific Division opponents following a win.
- The Lakers have won each of their last six games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in each of their last five games on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Spurs have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games following a home win.
Total Points Facts
- Nine of the Lakers’ last 10 road games against Southwest Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Spurs’ last five home games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back has gone OVER the total points line.
San Antonio Spurs Player Facts
- Victor Wembanyama ranks 1st amongst qualified players for Blocks Per Game (3.8) this season.
- Chris Paul ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for assists per 36 minutes (10.8) this season.
Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts
- LeBron James ranks 1st amongst qualified Forwards for assists per game (9.4) this season.
- Austin Reaves ranks T29th amongst qualified players for three-pointers made Per Game (2.7) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Spurs rank T1st in the league for Q3 win percentage this season (75.0%).
- The Spurs rank 2nd in the league for opponent assists per game this season (23.3).
- The Lakers rank 2nd in the league for free throws made per game this season (22.0).
- The Lakers rank 2nd in the league for free throw attempts per game this season (27.5).
San Antonio Spurs vs LA Lakers Prediction
The Lakers are still missing Jaxson Hayes and they have Rui Hachimura listed as questionable, while the Spurs are still missing Tre Jones and Jeremy Sochan. The Lakers come into this meeting as the team in better recent form and they looked good in their win over the Grizzlies in their last outing, while the Spurs are starting to turn things around and they would’ve taken plenty of confidence from their latest win where Wembenyama poured in a career-high 50 points. I wouldn’t be shocked if the Spurs pulled off the minor upset at home, but the Lakers are the team in better form and I think they represent decent value with the short line in this spot.