Los Angeles Lakers at San Antonio Spurs
Wednesday, 4/24/13, 9:30 PM EST, TV: TNT
Opening Point Spread: San Antonio -9
Current Betting Line: San Antonio -9
Opening Total: 187.5
Current Total: 188
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Los Angeles suffered a 91-79 setback to San Antonio as 8.5-point road underdogs in Game 1 of this best-of-seven series Sunday, while going UNDER the posted total of 190.5. The Lakers closed out the regular season with five wins in a row, as they continue to adjust without star guard Kobe Bryant being on the floor. “We’ve got to make shots,” commented Lakers center Dwight Howard. Offensively, the team’s point total last time out was its third-lowest since the start of the season. Los Angeles is 2-4 ATS as road underdogs of 6.5 to 9 points, with the OVER going 5-1 in that situation.
The Lakers will need a big game out of Howard, as he finished with 20 points and 15 rebounds, while point guard Steve Nash contributed 16 of his own. Nash has been hobbled for most of the year with various injuries, with the most recent one being his right hamstring. The team went 16-25 overall on the road during the 2012-13 campaign, including a dismal 9-17 mark versus Western Conference foes.
San Antonio closed the regular season with three consecutive losses, but was able to bounce back in the series opener, which is important to consider when making your NBA picks against the spread Wednesday night. The Spurs shot just 38 percent from the field, but attempted 12 more shots and turned the ball over just nine times against the Lakers. Since moving to the AT&T Center during the 2002-03 season, the team is 55-19 in postseason home games. San Antonio is 9-4-1 ATS as home favorites of 6.5 to 9 points, with the UNDER going 9-5 in those 14 opportunities.
The Spurs used 13 different starters during the regular season, which was the most of any team in the NBA. San Antonio finished third in outscoring opponents by 6.4 points per game, which was caused by ranking in the top ten in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Forward Tim Duncan is the player to watch on the offensive end, as he leads all active players with 767 career double-doubles.
Sports bettors will likely back the Lakers due to their 17-6 ATS record in their last 23 games following a double-digit loss, while the Spurs are 1-10 ATS following a SU win.
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