NBA: Lakers at Spurs
Sunday, March 6, 2011 at 3:30 ET (Broadcast on ABC)
Defending champions travel to the team with this year's best record
LAKERS: Los Angeles hasn't lost since the All Star break, as they're a perfect 6-0 SU. The Lakers are playing with a sense of urgency that hasn't been seen since the playoffs last season. Los Angeles is 44-19 SU and 30-32-1 ATS this year. The Lakers have lost both meetings with the Spurs this year SU and ATS, so revenge in certainly on their minds today. Los Angeles is 22-11 SU and 18-15 ATS in road games this year. The Lakers are 1-2 ATS as the listed underdog this season. Los Angeles has been winning thanks to a stifling defense, as they've held their past 4 opponents to 95 PTS or fewer. For the season, the Lakers are allowing just 95.6 PPG, 8th fewest in the league. G Kobe Bryant is again leading the Lakers in scoring, as he's averaging 25.1 PPG. F Lamar Odom is having a career year, as he's averaging 14.5 PPG and 9 RPG off the bench for Los Angeles. The Lakers are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 road games against a team with a winning home record. Los Angeles is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU win. Los Angeles is 8-3 ATS in their last 11 road games. The Lakers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest. Los Angeles is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a road underdog.
Lakers are 6-0 ATS last 6 games against the Western Conference. Under is 20-6 last 26 games against a team with a winning SU record.
Injuries: G Derek Fisher (elbow) is probable.
Andrew Bynum emerges as a defensive force [LA Times]
SPURS: (-3, O/U 191.5) San Antonio is coming off arguably their finest performance of a world class season. The Spurs simply throttled the Miami Heat from the opening tip, ultimately winning 125-95 SU. San Antonio has the best record in the NBA at 51-11 SU. The Spurs currently have a 5.5 game lead over Dallas in the Western Conference. San Antonio is a very profitable 36-24-2 ATS overall this year. The Spurs are 29-2 SU and 16-14 ATS overall this season. San Antonio is 29-21 ATS as the listed favorite this season, including 2-0 ATS as a home favorite of 3 PTS or fewer. San Antonio is averaging 103.7 PPG this year, 6th most in the NBA. G Manu Ginobli is averaging team highs of 18 PPG and 1.6 SPG this year. F Tim Duncan is averaging 13.4 PPG and a team high 9.1 RPG this season. The Spurs are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games against the NBA Pacific. San Antonio is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 Sunday games. The Spurs are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games following an ATS win. San Antonio is 22-9 ATS in their last 31 games following a SU win of more than 10 points. The Spurs are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Spurs are 8-2 ATS last 10 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600%. Under is 11-3 last 14 games as a home favorite.
Spurs swear Lakers are still best [NBA.com]
Projected Score: Lakers 97, Spurs 94
COMMENT . . .
What handicapping factors do you think are key in this game?