The San Antonio Spurs (45-33) will try to end their six-game road losing streak in a matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers (33-44) at Staples Center. The game will air on ESPN at 10:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 4, 2018.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers Free Prediction
The Spurs are trying to rebound after their 113-110 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in their last game. One of Los Angeles’ largest strengths was getting to the free throw line. They made 43 trips to the line, while San Antonio went 28 times. LaMarcus Aldridge was the game’s high scorer with 35 points on 13-for-21 shooting.
The last time the Lakers played, they lost to the Utah Jazz, 117-110. Utah won the rebounding battle. The Jazz had more offensive rebounds (14 vs. seven), defensive rebounds (33 vs. 32) and total rebounds (47 vs. 39). Los Angeles’ Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had a solid performance, leading the team in scoring with 28 points on 8-for-14 shooting.
Los Angeles might struggle to put up points as they face off against one of the league’s best defenses. San Antonio currently ranks third in defensive efficiency while the Lakers rank 23rd in offensive efficiency.
San Antonio heads into the contest with records of 45-33 straight up (SU) and 40-33-4 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the O/U total of Spurs games, with 42 unders compared to 34 overs.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles is 33-44 SU and 39-36-1 ATS. Contrary to San Antonio, just over half of Lakers games have finished over the total.
Kyle Kuzma and Julius Randle have played at a high level over the last five games for Los Angeles. Kuzma has averaged 20.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Not to be outdone, Randle has put up 20.0 points and 9.4 rebounds a game during that span.
The Lakers have won both contests against the Spurs this season, including a four-point victory in their last matchup. Los Angeles covered as a 6-point underdog and the game finished with a total of 228 points, which was 9 points above the projected point total of 219 points. The Lakers made 21 of their 27 free throws (77.8 percent) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.516 vs. 0.485). Lonzo Ball recorded a double-double with 18 points and 11 assists.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Lakers, ATS Winner – Lakers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, San Antonio is 15-20-3 ATS with 22 unders, 15 overs and 1 push.
At home, Los Angeles is 20-17 ATS with 19 unders and 18 overs.
In games where they hold opponents below 100 points, Los Angeles is 13-5 and San Antonio is 31-10.
When reaching 100 points, the Lakers are 30-29 and the Spurs are 35-13.
San Antonio ranks second in blocks allowed per game (3.9) while Los Angeles ranks 27th (5.5).
The Lakers rank second in fast break points per game (17.2) while the Spurs rank 22nd (10.2).
Los Angeles ranks first in points in the paint per game (52.1) while San Antonio ranks 20th (43.7).
The Spurs average 13.2 second chance points per game, which ranks ninth in the NBA. The Lakers rank 27th in second chance points allowed per game (13.5).
San Antonio ranks ninth in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.1) while Los Angeles ranks 26th (18.4).
The Spurs rank fifth in three pointers allowed per game (26.5) while the Lakers rank 19th (30.1).
San Antonio averages 44.4 rebounds per game, which ranks ninth in the NBA. Los Angeles ranks 23rd in rebounds allowed per game (44.8).
The Spurs average 7.6 steals per game, which ranks 18th in the NBA. The Lakers rank 23rd in steals allowed per game (8.3).
San Antonio averages 22.8 assists per game, which ranks 15th in the NBA. Los Angeles ranks 18th in assists allowed per game (23.4).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, San Antonio is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Los Angeles is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Spurs’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.0, down from 3.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Lakers have scored an average of 104.8 points per game (3.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 106.0 points per game (3.7 below their season average).
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