San Antonio vs Los Angeles Lakers: It won’t be easy for the Lakers

The Lakers are among the top contenders for the championship, but they don’t look very confident lately. In their next game away, Los Angeles face San Antonio. Can the Lakers win?

The Spurs still haven’t announced a rebuilding move, although Demar Derozan left in the offseason, and there are no stars on the team yet. We can only hope for youth, and so far, the same Keldon Johnson is living up to expectations. In 3 games, the recent Olympics winner is averaging 20.7 points, even though he hasn’t made a single basket yet. San Antonio still play two-point basketball, although the Spurs signed Jock Landale and Doug McDermott for a reason. The Spurs are second to last in the league in three-point attempts (31.0 per game). But there are no problems with their turnover numbers. The team is giving up 28.3 assists per game, the 3rd best mark in the NBA. I’m glad that almost all of the strongest players are on the roster. Zach Collins is out with an injury, while Devontae Cacok is unlikely to return to the floor.

The results, however, are disappointing. Gregg Popovich’s men have only won 1 game in 3 games. In their last game, the Spurs lost at home to Milwaukee, 111-121. It was an even game, and only in the final quarter did their opponent finally eliminate the winner’s question. San Antonio regularly shot from beyond the arc, but their play proved disappointing: Only 10 of their 39 shots were successful. But the Spurs scored heavily in the paint and also shot well from midrange. Doug McDermott was the most productive player on the team with 25 points.

The Lakers traded Russell Westbrook over the summer largely to relieve LeBron and Davis, but the workload didn’t help. The club’s leaders are playing an average of 37-38 minutes each, and injuries to role players have been the culprit. Although the latter three could make a big difference in attack, Trevor Ariza, Talen Horton-Tucker, Wayne Ellington, and Kendrick Nunn are out. LeBron James was also injured the day before, and it is not certain he will play against San Antonio. A loss quickly followed their injury woes in all 6 of their preseason games and only one win in all three regular-season games.

The day before, Frank Vogel’s team defeated Memphis at home, 121-118. Early in the 4th quarter, the Lakers were trailing, but the Lakers won the finish. Los Angeles were a net loser on the boards, allowing 18 offensive rebounds, but they made up for it with 12 blocked shots and 53.3% three-point shooting. Carmelo Anthony made six three-pointers and was the highest scorer on the team with 28 points. Russell Westbrook had a double-double of 13 points and 13 assists.

The Spurs have defended well in their two starts, and they have quality defensive players both on the perimeter (White, Murray) and in the paint (Pöltl). San Antonio may be better at hitting three-pointers, but the Lakers are unlikely to score more than half of their long-range shots again, especially in the face of numerous losses. Yes, the Lakes are considered favourites, but they won’t have it easy either way. I propose to bet on the following outcomes:

• Handicap 1 (+4.5) for 1.76;
• Total Under 220.5 for 2.08.