The Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs are 1A and 1B in the Western Conference standings as both currently hold a 4-1 record. The Lakers are on the heels of a classic game against the Dallas Mavericks while the Spurs are fresh off a blowout win over the Golden State Warriors.
On a four-game winning streak
The Lakers are slowly stitching together Ws, and it’s been balanced through good offense and defense. They are scoring 119.7 points in their last three games and currently rank third in points allowed (100 PAPG) and defensive rating.
Saturday’s 119-110 overtime victory over the Mavs was an instant classic. It was an entertaining back-and-forth battle that saw a really, really focused LeBron James – a rarity these days. James was active on both ends of the floor and appeared hell bent on out-dueling rising star Luka Doncic, racking up 39 points, 12 rebounds, 16 assists, and four steals. Anthony Davis was unstoppable on the post as usual, and he was able to notch 31 points.
Kyle Kuzma has returned from a foot injury and had nine points, three rebounds, and one assist across 19 minutes. He might remain limited for the next few games but we’ll see it soon enough.
The Spurs just never seem to go away
The mighty Spurs have slowed down in the last two seasons, but it’s a guarantee that they’ll somehow find a way into the playoff seedings. We can always expect a lot from a Gregg Popovich team. Remember, last year was supposed to be when they finally entered the lottery again, but they somehow found a way into the playoffs anyway.
The Spurs made quick work of the depleted Warriors on Saturday, 127-110. All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge recovered from an off-night against the LA Clippers and tallied 22 points, while co-All-Star DeMar DeRozan double-doubled with 13 points and 11 assists.
Among the great things in the Spurs’ system is that you never really know who’s going to produce aside from its All-Stars. It was evident in the victory over the Warriors, as veteran point guard Patty Mills, the longest-tenured Spur in the roster, got hot and scored a game-high 31 points, his highest total since the 2014-15 season. Another veteran, Rudy Gay, chipped in 16 points on 7-for-9 shooting in 16 minutes of action. Trey Lyles, meanwhile, one of the newest guys on the team, grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds.
San Antonio went 3-1 in the season series with the Lakers last season and averaged 124.8 points per game.
PREDICTION:
LeBron has lost seven of his last eight meetings with the Spurs, so the Lakers are in for a tough spell on this one.
