The Los Angeles Lakers (1-2) visit the “Alamo City” for an 8:30 p.m. ET tip-off against the San Antonio Spurs (1-2) at AT&T Center. Below, we look at the Lakers vs. Spurs odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
L.A. eked past the Memphis Grizzlies Sunday 121-118 as a 5-point home favorite. Lakers first-year wing Carmelo Anthony stole the show and scored a team-high 28 points by making 10-of-15 shots (6-of-8 from behind the arc).
San Antonio lost its last outing 121-111 against the Milwaukee Bucks Saturday and failed to cover as a 6-point home underdog. Third-year forward Keldon Johnson scored 20 points on 50.0% shooting and is currently averaging 20.7 points per game (PPG) on 56.3% shooting.
The Lakers won two of three regular-season meetings with the Spurs last year and covered in two of those outings as well. L.A. outrebounded San Antonio in all three meetings, while F LeBron James and F Anthony Davis each averaged at least 25 PPG against the Spurs last season.
Lakers at Spurs odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:20 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Lakers -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Spurs +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lakers -2.5 (-112) | Spurs +2.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 222.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Lakers at Spurs key injuries
Lakers
- SF LeBron James (ankle) questionable
- SF Trevor Ariza (knee) out
- SG Wayne Ellington (hamstring) out
- SF Talen Horton-Tucker (thumb) out
- SG Kendrick Nunn (knee) out
Spurs
- Nothing affecting gambling odds.
Lakers at Spurs odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Lakers 114, Spurs 105
Money line
“LEAN” to the LAKERS (-140) because there’s been “sharp line movement” towards the Spurs thus far. L.A.’s money line has gone from -195 on the consensus line down to the current price despite one-way action on the Lakers, according to pregame.com.
San Antonio lost crucial pieces this offseason with wing DeMar DeRozan, forward Rudy Gay and guard Patty Mills moving onto new teams. If those players were still on the Spurs, they’d probably give San Antonio the edge in the front and backcourt and much-needed wing scoring.
We might be getting some value because of LeBron’s name showing up on L.A.’s injury report, but that is another reason for my “lean” towards the Lakers. I’d actually prefer to bet the Lakers without a banged-up LeBron, running their offense through Russell Westbrook and AD.
Against the spread
PASS because the Lakers -2.5 (-112) money line is only 28 cents on the dollar more expensive than L.A.’s money so let’s just stick with the Lakers outright.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the UNDER 222.5 (-108) for a bunch of trendy reasons. First of all, five of their last six meetings have gone Under the total, including all three last season. Also, the Lakers are 17-27-2 O/U as a road favorite since the beginning of 2019.
On top of that, the return of fans to arenas around the league and the NBA’s new officiating mandate targeting unnatural offensive moves are reasons for the league-wide 20-29 O/U record through the first week of the season. Plus the officiating crew assigned to this game has a 0-5 O/U record this year.
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