If the Lakers were not in desperation mode on Wednesday night, they will be this evening as they attempt to avoid a 0-3 deficit in their best of seven series with San Antonio. Tonight’s Game 3 meeting between the Spurs and Lakers is scheduled to get underway at 10:30pm ET at the STAPLES Center; it will be broadcast live on ESPN. San Antonio, according to the latest 2013 NBA Playoff Picks, should all but seal the deal tonight. The Spurs are a -6.5 against the spread and -270 moneyline favorite while the game total is set at 185.5 points.
Los Angeles understandably came out flat in its Game 1 showdown with the Spurs given its late season grind, but most pundits expected a better effort from the club on Wednesday night. Unfortunately for the Lakers, they did not.
Dwight Howard and company fell 102-91 at the AT&T Center thanks to their inability to contain the Spurs offense. San Antonio shot a miserable 37.6 percent from the field in its series opening victory, but it returned to form for Game 2, dropping 42 of its 82 field goal attempts.
Tony Parker led the Spurs with 28 points as he connected on 9-of-20 from the field and 9-of-10 from the charity stripe. Tim Duncan, Kawhi Leonard, Matt Bonner, and Manu Ginobili also scored in double figures.
No team wants to find itself in a 0-3 hole, but it is safe to assume that L.A. may not be good enough to prevent it, especially against the Spurs. San Antonio would seemingly have the Lakers number, having knocked off Los Angeles six times in the last seven meetings between the two clubs.
The Lakers have not exactly performed well as a home dog against the Spurs either, losing eight of their last 10 games in said situation (3-7 against the spread).
San Antonio Spurs -6.5 (-110), Over 185.5 (-110), -270 (Moneyline)
Los Angeles Lakers +6.5 (-110), Under 185.5 (-110), +230 (Moneyline)
Pregame.com Webinar: Tips on Betting Basketball w/ Greg Shaker
Join us as Johnny Detroit walks you through the betting totals in basketball with "totals expert" Greg Shaker!
Last Chance at $20,000: Beat Goodfella on Friday!
We’re giving away FREE MONEY once again this Friday. This week’s challenge is to Beat GoodFella for a free chance at $20,000.00 CASH! It’s the last chance to win a free seat to the
$20,000 contest! So make a few clicks and save your spot to the contest. Take 5 minutes, build a roster, and see if you have what it takes to win.