Coming out of the NBA In-Season Tournament with an L in Dallas, the Los Angeles Lakers are in a Texas two-step when they visit the hapless San Antonio Spurs tonight. It’s the first of a two-game mini-set between these clubs at the Frost Bank Center.
San Antonio has cratered in the first year of the Victor Wembanyama experience, running a franchise-record skid of 17 straight losses and counting. And yet, the Lakers are just 3.5-point favorites in the NBA odds.
With LA playing the second half of a back-to-back, is there any way this could be a trap game? Read below for my free NBA picks for Lakers vs. Spurs on Wednesday, December 13.
Lakers vs Spurs odds
Lakers vs Spurs predictions
Perhaps it was the IST hangover, but the Los Angeles Lakers defense was lit on fire by a short-handed Dallas team in a 127-125 loss, ending their three-game winning streak.
A team that has allowed just 112 points per game, the Lakers surrendered 34 or more points in three of four quarters. The good news is Anthony Davis and LeBron James were dynamite, combining for 70 points in the loss.
AD, coming off a monster 41-point, 20-rebound, five-assist, four-block performance in the NBA Tournament finale, went for 37 points on 15-for-21 shooting, 11 boards, and two blocks.
James finished with 33 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists. The most concerning stat, though? LeBron logged a game-high 40 minutes, which might be worth noting when playing on consecutive nights.
Will that matter in San Antonio? The Spurs are coming off a 93-82 loss at Houston, their lowest scoring output in 22 games this season.
At this point, it’s all about Wemby's development. He finished with 15 points and 18 rebounds — the second straight game he’s led the Spurs in points and rebounds after he went for 21 points and 20 boards in a loss to Chicago.
San Antonio hasn’t won since November 2 — the fifth game of the season! — when they toppled the Phoenix Suns, finishing off a two-game mini-series sweep. The Spurs have been plastered at home during this skid, dropping nine straight, allowing 122 points per game while teams shoot 47.7% from the field and 38.6% from distance.
The Lakers have ripped off four wins in this head-to-head, and seven of the last 10, and are 5-0 against teams .500 or worse this season. Assuming the Lakers’ two stars are in the lineup — and heck, even if one of LeBron or AD sits — there’s no way Los Angeles is losing Wednesday.
My best bet: Lakers moneyline (-135 at DraftKings)
Lakers vs Spurs same-game parlay
Lakers moneyline
Under 228.5
The Lakers are one of the better Under teams in the NBA, with 14 of their 24 games sliding Under the total. San Antonio is putting up a paltry 107.8 points per game during this losing streak and has been held to 110 points or less in 10 of the 17 games on this slide.
In their last 10 wins (again, I’m assuming LA wins), the Lakers have held their opponents Under 110 points in eight of them.
We’ll finish with LeBron and LA’s delicate handling of him on back-to-backs.
In the last three sets, the Lakers have lightened James’ workload on the front end. On November 30 vs. OKC, he went for 21 points, 12 boards, and six assists, after playing just 29 minutes the night before in Detroit. He scored 26 points, with nine rebounds and seven assists against Dallas on Nov. 22, but only after playing 24 minutes against Utah a night earlier.
LBJ recorded a triple-double On Nov 15 against Sacramento, after logging 23 minutes on Nov 14 against Memphis. With a heavy workload on Tuesday, expect the pendulum to swing the other way tonight. Now, Lakers props were not yet available at the time of writing, so taking the Under on James' points total will be a provisional add when (if?) the market expands.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Lakers vs Spurs spread and Over/Under analysis
Los Angeles’ 3.5-point line as a favorite is the lowest available, and there are a few books still holding to it, including FanDuel.
Not sure how much longer that will keep, though, as other books have the Spurs as long as 6.5-point dogs.
San Antonio is 3-7-0 against the spread as home underdogs, and 8-14-0 ATS on the season. The Lakers are just 11-12-0 ATS on the year and are 5-7-0 ATS on the road.
As for the total, the lowest line around was 228.5 points, but most books are living in the 229-point range. The highest total was set at 230 points.
Lakers vs Spurs betting trend to know
The Spurs have hit the Over in 26 of their last 38 games at home, though three of their last five vs LA at home have gone Under. Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Spurs.
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Lakers vs Spurs game info
| Location: | Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX |
| Date: | Wednesday, December 13, 2023 |
| Tip-off: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TSN, NBATV |
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