The San Antonio Spurs (4-8) travel to Staples Center Sunday to take on the Los Angeles Lakers (7-6). Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Spurs vs. Lakers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Both teams are coming off embarrassing losses. The Spurs were absolutely throttled 123-109 at home against the Dallas Mavericks Friday, but it could have been worse as they entered the fourth quarter down 25. San Antonio is led by G Dejounte Murray who will need to have a big-time game if the Spurs are going to down the F Anthony Davis-led Lakers.
The Lakers were downed 107-83 to Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves Friday. Minnesota outscored Los Angeles 40-12 in the third quarter. It was a pitiful showing from L.A. The Lakers look to rebound as they enter as slight home favorites in this one.
Spurs at Lakers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:30 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Spurs +122 (bet $100 to win $122) | Lakers -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Spurs +3.5 (-115) | Lakers -3.5 (-107)
- Over/Under (O/U): 219.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Spurs at Lakers key injuries
Spurs
- C Jakob Poeltl (returning to conditioning) out
- F Keita Bates-Diop (low back) probable
Lakers
- SF Trevor Ariza (ankle) out
- SF Avery Bradley (ankle) questionable
- PF Anthony Davis (thumb) probable
- SF Talen Horton-Tucker (thumb) probable
- SF LeBron James (abdominis) out
- SG Kendrick Nunn (knee) out
- SG Austin Reaves (hamstring) out
Spurs at Lakers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Lakers 111, Spurs 107
Money line
“LEAN” to the LAKERS (-150) as the better side of the money line. After watching the Spurs and Mavericks, it’s clear that not having Poeltl has been brutal for San Antonio.
Backup C Drew Eubanks, standing at 6’9″, just isn’t nearly as physical or capable down low. That’ll be a problem against L.A., which has several 7-footers on its roster.
The Lakers are the better team despite their abysmal net rating. They typically either win games or are blown out. Regardless, that’s still managed to get them a plus-.500 record.
The Lakers foul at the second-highest rate, but the Spurs shoot the fourth-fewest free throws. Without many easy points and given the size difference, I’m taking the home side.
However, considering L.A. was just absolutely abused by Minnesota, I wouldn’t slap a full unit here.
Against the spread
PASS on the spread.
While it’s a mere three points, four of the Lakers’ last six games have been decided by one possession. I’d rather bet on the better team winning outright for a marginally worse price.
Over/Under
BET on the UNDER 219.5 (-112) as both teams aren’t shooting well.
The Spurs rank top five in field goal percentage, but they hit the second-fewest threes per game. The Lakers are outside the top half of the league in threes per game as well.
With both teams having a better defensive rating ranking than offensive rating, this game should produce a face-paced game that’s also full of two-point field goals.
If that’s the case, especially with the Spurs having to deal with the size of bigs Dwight Howard and Deandre Jordan, I’m leading to fewer points than more.
The Spurs are 6-6 on the Over/Under while the Lakers are 7-6, having generally been given a lower number due to LeBron James being sidelined.
That said, considering the size and style of the two teams, I’m betting the Under on this one.
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