The Los Angeles Lakers have won three-straight but are only 1-4 on the road. The San Antonio Spurs have been good in their turf (5-2), and Victor Wembanyama is coming off a 50-point performance.
Catch the game tomorrow at 8:30 AM, Manila time.
AWAY: Los Angeles Lakers (7-4, 1-4 AWAY)
Projected starting five:
- D’Angelo Russell
- Austin Reaves
- Rui Hachimura
- LeBron James
- Anthony Davis
The Lakers are on a three-game winning streak, averaging 122.3 points per game and allowing just 110.7 on the other end. However, much like tomorrow’s game, all three previous opponents were missing a starter, and they haven’t had much success on the road.
Still, there’s a handful of bright spots. The soon-to-be 40-year-old LeBron James (24.3 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 9.4 APG) has dropped three-straight triple-doubles, while Anthony Davis (30.2 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 2.1 BPG) is among the top scorers in the league and an early candidate for MVP.
James and Davis will continue doing such things, although the hope is that they get ample help from the rest. Austin Reaves has upped his scoring every year and has a chance to maintain that as he is at a career-best 18.6 PPG thus far. Rui Hachimura (12.7 PPG) and D’Angelo Russell (12.3 PPG), meanwhile, are the 3rd and 4th guys in the pecking order.
Rookie Dalton Knecht is aiming to be a regular part of the offense. He’s at 7.3 PPG on the season and is on the heels of a career-high 19 points.
HOME: San Antonio Spurs (6-6, 5-2 HOME)
Projected starting five:
- Chris Paul
- Julian Champagnie
- Devin Vassell
- Harrison Barnes
- Victor Wembanyama
The Spurs are gunning for a third-consecutive win. They won 116-96 against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday, and 139-130 vs. the Washington Wizards on Thursday, where Victor Wembanyama delivered 50 points, notching his first explosive scoring game of the season.
Wemby (22.3 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 3.8 BPG) isn’t taking the leap that many expected, but he’s filling the stat sheet nicely, and he’ll have a good opportunity to flex his offensive and defensive prowess in a marquee matchup with Davis. Chris Paul (11.0 PPG, 9.3 in his last 8) will be right there with him, especially now that he’s getting more comfortable as they go along.
Devin Vasell, Julian Champagnie, Keldon Johnson, and veteran Harrison Barnes will back-up the Wemby express with scattered contributions. Vassell (16.7 PPG, 22.7 MPG) is on his fourth game back after missing the first nine contests due to an injury, and every night could be the one where he’ll be let loose.
San Antonio is scoring 109.8 PPG and ranks fifth in points allowed per game at 109.2.
PICKS:
Spread: Spurs (+3.5)
Over/Under: Over (226.5)
