The Los Angeles Lakers play host as they try to sweep the season series with the San Antonio Spurs for the first time in 22 years.
HOME TEAM: Los Angeles Lakers (37-11, 16-6 at home)
The Lakers got back on the winning track with their 129-113 clobbering of the Sacramento Kings on Sunday. It had a nice little tribute to the late great Kobe Bryant as well as the team exploded for 81 first-half points.
Tomorrow will be the third meeting against the Spurs. The Lakers reigned in the first two, 103-96 and 114-104, led by LeBron James averaging 27 points and 13.5 assists per game and Anthony Davis adding 22 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks.
In the first encounter back in early November, two Lakers from the supporting cast also shined: Avery Bradley scored 16 points on 7-for-9 shooting while Dwight Howard went a perfect 7-for-7 and had a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds in 21 quality minutes.
ROAD TEAM: San Antonio Spurs (22-27, 8-15 on the road)
The Spurs fell short of upsetting the LA Clippers for the second time this season. They lost to the Clipps on Tuesday, 108-105, despite leading by as much as 15 points.
Gregg Popovich and his men are staying in LA as they pay the Lakers a visit next, a team they are yet to beat in two meetings on the season. Six Spurs are averaging in double figures in the season series, as led by their two stars, DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge, who both compiled 19 PPG in the pair of contests.
DeRozan is staying in his insane pace, which is now at 22 games. The 10-year veteran is averaging 26.3 PPG on 59%-shooting since December 21st, so look for him to continue racking up such stats.
Derrick White, DeJounte Murray, and Rudy Gay are the key secondary options. All are tallying double-digit points on the season and in the season series.
PREDICTION:
The Lakers should be able to take advantage of the Spurs, who are on the second night of a back-to-back. They win after another big game from Anthony Davis, 114-106.
