L.A. Lakers at San Antonio
Time: 8 PM CT (NBA LP)
Spread: SAS -5.5
Total: 218.5
Odds c/o 5dimes
The L.A. Lakers have been heating up, but it may be a case of too little, too late. The Lakers have won seven of its past 10 to surge to a 27-34 record, but it still trails No. 8 Denver by 6.5 games in the standings with just 21 more games to go (including tonight’s) on the season.
The San Antonio Spurs are 36-26 and will host the Lakers at home, where the Spurs have notched a 22-7 mark this season. The Lakers are just 12-20 on the road, and will be 5.5 point underdogs according to NBA oddsmakers at bookmaker 5dimes.
L.A.
The Lakers have won its past four, with victories over Dallas, Sacramento, Atlanta and Miami. Three of those four teams are out of the playoff chase, and the Lakers have been playing their best ball of the season. The Lakers hung 131 points on the defensive-oriented Miami Heat in a 131-113 win, as Isaiah Thomas recaptured some of his mojo in scoring 29 points on 11 of 20 shooting.
Power forward Julius Randle also had a big game, scoring 25 points and grabbing six boards while starting and playing 34 minutes. Former starter Kyle Kuzma came off the bench behind Randle to hit 6 of 10 from the floor in 28 minutes en route to 16 points.
The Lakers did start Lonzo Ball at the 1-spot, and the rookie came through with eight points, six steals, seven assists and six rebounds while posting a team-best +24 in his 34 minutes on the court. Ball does so many of the small things, and he is really making an impact as the numbers reflect the Lakers playing better ball with the former UCLA guard on the court. Ball has averaged 7.5 points and six assists in three games since returning from injury, but his game against the Heat was probably his best since returning from injury.
Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade was impressed, and called himself a “fan” of Lonzo Ball, and Luke Walton said he was “the best player on the court, though he only shot five times,” adding, “He is a unique player who can impact the game all over.” The Lakers may have a long-shot to make the postseason, but with the pieces coming together and the way the team is playing, the future is probably far brighter far sooner than most have anticipated. Ball is the real deal, even if the hype from his father has cast a light on him far brighter than he wanted to deal with.
SAN ANT
The Spurs have been getting it done this season without 2014 Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard. Leonard has missed the majority of the season, and there is no timeline on his return. Many speculated the Spurs would deal Leonard at this trade deadline, but that of course did not happen. Whatever rifts may exist between Leonard and the team, are ameliorated by pure winning, which is something that is pedigree to the franchise.
Even without its best player, the Spurs are contending for a homecourt advantage top-4 playoff berth, and that speaks to just how good Gregg Popovich’s coaching continues to be. He has adapted arguably through three different NBA era changes, dating back to the late 90s, and put together one of the best run systems in professional sports.
To expect the Spurs to fade simply because Leonard has been out, is patently silly. Contention may be a nebulous and lofty goal for this year’s iteration, but they can put the scare into any of the other 29 teams simply due to a fundamentally sound system that manages to maximize each player, year in and year out.
