Spurs Lakers Betting – Lakers Show They’re Still The Team To Beat
Online betting experts are gearing up for the playoffs, and on Tuesday they’ll get a massive matchup in the West as San Antonio heads to Los Angeles to face the Lakers, who have been slumping. However, they have heard that the Spurs are the team to beat, and the Lakers are out to prove that they’re not the two-time defending champions for nothing.
- What: NBA Betting
- Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
- When: Tuesday, April 12th, 10:30 PM ET
- Pick: Los Angeles Lakers
- Why Bet On Spurs
The Spurs have momentarily turned things around enough to clinch first place in the Western Conference, and it appears as though everyone is back and healthy for San Antonio, who lost Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Antonio McDyess during a six-game skid that had many wondering about the Spurs’ NBA title chances. San Antonio should be prepared for this game as they play their home finale of the regular season Saturday night against Utah, so they’ll have plenty of time to recover. The Spurs have won two of three against the Lakers this season, and somehow, they’ve managed to do it while shooting 39.9% from the field, including 31.9% from three-point land. Parker has averaged 19.3 points in those three games, while Richard Jefferson has notched 11.3 points for the Spurs, who are going to need a little more production out of Duncan, who has averaged 4.0 points and 6.3 boards in three games against the Lakers.
The wildest of Duncan’s stats against the Lakers is that he is shooting a miserable 19.2% from the field, and the Spurs will need him to step up DeJuan Blair has really struggled down the stretch. His numbers are down across the board, and he was key earlier in the season, which allowed the Spurs to rest Duncan. One of these two is going to have to step up for San Antonio.
Why Bet On Lakers
The Lakers are still the NBA betting favorites to win the title, but a three-game losing streak heading into a game in Portland on Friday night could be a little worrying. Their offense hasn’t been clicking, averaging 87.3 points during this recent skid, and the Lakers have shot 42.7% from the field in four games in April. They’ve been particularly bad from three-point land, shooting 26.7%, but the Lakers have shown that they have the ability to turn things around quickly. The Lakers have shot 41.7% from the field in their three meetings with the Spurs, and 30% from long distance, so San Antonio has had their number. Kobe Bryant has notched 7.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists, but he needs to boost his 21.0 points in order for the Lakers to overtake the Spurs.
Their best bet may be to go inside to Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, who have combined to average 24.3 points and 18.6 rebounds against the Spurs, and both shoot high percentages. The Lakers have the edge in the post, and if they can win that battle, that opens up the floor for the rest of the team.
How The Game Will Play Out
The Lakers will be favored at home in this contest, and they’re 3-2 SU and ATS in their last five meetings with the Spurs at the Staples Center. As of Friday, the Lakers were 15-24 ATS at home, while the Spurs are 25-13-1 ATS on the road, and they’re on a roll. But this game will be huge when it comes to making a statement for the postseason, and while the Spurs have had a great season, clinching the top spot in the West, the road to the NBA title still goes through the Lakers in Los Angeles, and Bryant will have the team ready for this Tuesday night showdown. Bet on the Los Angeles Lakers in your sports betting picks.
Spurs Lakers Betting Pick: Los Angeles Lakers
