Los Angeles Lakers at San Antonio Spurs
AT&T Center – San Antonio, Texas
Friday, April 20, 2012, 9:35 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN
Opening Line: San Antonio -6
Current Line: San Antonio -6 1/2
Opening Total: 202 1/2
Current Total: 204
Opening Money Line: Spurs -265 / Lakers +225
Current Money Line: Spurs -275 / Lakers +235
The Lakers and Spurs had not played each other this season until last week. Tonight they play for the third time in nine days. Each team won by double digit’s on the other’s home court, and they will play the rubber match tonight in San Antonio. The Lakers won 98-94 in San Antonio April 11, and the Spurs returned the favor Tuesday night in LA 112-91.
The 45-16 San Antonio Spurs, coached by Gregg Popovich, have already clinched the Southwest Division title, and lead Oklahoma City by a half game for the best record in the West. The Spurs trail Chicago by a game for best record in the league, and home court advantage throughout the playoffs. The Spurs have won 5 straight games since the loss to the Lakers last week, including 127-102 at Sacramento Wednesday night.
The 40-23 Lakers, coached by Mike Brown, lead the Clippers by one game for the Pacific Division title, and the #3 seed in the Western Conference. The Lakers will likely be either the #3 or #4 seed, but there is an outside shot of Memphis passing both the Lakers and Clippers for the #3 seed. The Lakers have been without Kobe Bryant for the last 7 games, who was out with an injured shin. The Lakers went 5-2 in those games, including a 99-87 win at Golden State Wednesday night. Bryant is expected to return to the line-up tonight.
The Lakers are outscoring opponents 97-95 this season. LA is shooting 45.9% from the field and 32.2% from 3 point range. The Lakers are #7 in field goal percentage. LA makes 75.7% of their free throws. The Lakers are #2 in rebounding averaging 46.2 a game with a rebounding margin of +5.6. Los Angeles averages 22.4 assists, 15.1 turnovers, 5.8 steals, and 5.3 blocks a game. Laker opponents are shooting 43.5% from the field and 34.3% from 3 point range. The Lakers are in the top 11 in both categories. LA forces 11.2 turnovers a game.
Guard Kobe Bryant leads the league in scoring averaging 28.1 points, along with 5.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals a game to lead the team. Center Andrew Bynum averages 18.9 points, 12.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.9 blocks a game. He leads the Lakers in rebounds and blocks. Bynum is #3 in rebounding in the NBA. Forward Pau Gasol averages 17.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.4 blocks a game. He is #7 in rebounding in the league. Newly acquired point guard Ramon Sessions (traded from Cleveland last month) averages 13.4 points, 4 rebounds, and 6.7 assists to lead the team. Matt Barnes, Metta World Peace, and Steve Blake also get significant minutes. Guard Christian Eyenga is out indefinitely with a toe injury.
San Antonio is outscoring opponents 103-96 this season. The Spurs are #3 in scoring in the NBA. The Spurs are shooting 47.4% from the field and 39% from 3 point range. The Spurs are #2 in field goal percentage and #1 in 3 point shooting. San Antonio makes 74.1% from the free throw line. The Spurs average 42.7 rebounds a game with a rebounding margin of +1.3. San Antonio averages 22.9 assists, 13.5 turnovers, 7.4 steals, and 4.4 blocks a game. Spur opponents are shooting 45.2% from the field and 35.5% from 3 point range. San Antonio forces 13.7 turnovers a game.
San Antonio point guard Tony Parker averages 18.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1 steal a game. He leads the Spurs in scoring and assists. Tim Duncan averages 15.3 points, 9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.5 blocks a game. He leads the Spurs in rebounds and blocks. Manu Ginobli averages 12.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists a game. Kawhi Leonard leads the Spurs in steals with 1.3 a game. Gary Neal, Stephen Jackson, Richard Jefferson, DuJuan Blair, Tiago Splitter, Daniel Green, Patrick Mills, and Leonard also average at least 7.9 points a game.
San Antonio is 38-20-3 ATS and the total is 35-26 this season. LA is 27-36 ATS and the total is 34-28-1 this season. The under is 20-7 in the last 27 games in this series. The Lakers are 6-2 ATS in the last 8 in San Antonio. The Lakers are 5-0 ATS as a road underdog, 4-1 overall, and against Western Conference teams, 6-2 as an underdog, 10-4-2 as a road underdog of 5-10.5 points, 5-2 in road games against teams with winning home records, 4-9 in Friday games and after a straight up win, 2-5 against Southwest division teams, 3-8 after a cover, and 3-12 one day rest. The Spurs are 4-0 ATS as a favorite of 5-10.5 points, against Pacific Division teams, and after scoring 100 points or more, 4-0-2 after a straight up win of 10 points or more, 6-1-1 as a home favorite of 5-10.5 points, 5-1-1 after allowing 100 points or more, 4-1 in Friday games, 23-6-3 as a favorite, 15-4-2 at home against teams with losing road records, 20-7-1 against Western Conference games, 19-7-2 after a cover, 21-8-2 as a home favorite, 21-8-3 after a straight up win, 18-7-2 against teams with winning records, 18-7-1 on one day rest, 34-14-3 overall, and 1-6-2 after scoring 125 points or more.
I could see Kobe returning to the line-up tonight and trying to do too much. I think he will shoot and score a lot, but the offense has been flowing really well without him in the offense. I think the Spurs win at home, but it will be close.
