Los Angeles Lakers at San Antonio Spurs NBA Picks & Predictions 3/3/2018

Saturday, March 3, 2018

AT&T Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Los Angeles Lakers travel to AT&T Center to play the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, March 3, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has San Antonio as 4 point favorites.

The Lakers come into this game with an overall record of 27-34. They are 3rd in the Pacific Division. They currently have a point differential of -1.7 as they are averaging 108.3 points per game while giving up 110.0 per contest. The Spurs have an overall record of 36-26. They currently are 2nd in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 102.2 points per game and surrendering 99.2, good for a point differential of 3.0.

Valuable Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 34-27-0 against the spread

The Los Angeles Lakers are 33-27-1 against the over/under

Important San Antonio Spurs Betting Trends

The San Antonio Spurs are 32-28-2 against the spread

The San Antonio Spurs are 29-33-0 against the over/under

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

03/01/18 F Brandon Ingram Hip left last game, is "?" Saturday vs San Antonio
03/01/18 G Josh Hart Hand is out indefinitely
02/17/18 F Channing Frye Appendix is out indefinitely

Key San Antonio Spurs Injuries

03/02/18 F LaMarcus Aldridge Ankle left last game, is "?" Saturday vs LA Lakers
03/02/18 F Pau Gasol Knee is doubtful Saturday vs LA Lakers
01/17/18 SF Kawhi Leonard Quad is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Brandon Ingram comes into this contest averaging 16.2 points per game while playing 33.8 minutes per night so far this season for the Lakers. He pulls down 5.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is currently at 69%. Kyle Kuzma averages 15.4 points per game in 29.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.8 assists per contest and 5.9 rebounds per game for Los Angeles. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 70%.

Player Spotlight

LaMarcus Aldridge averages 22.5 points per game while playing 33.6 minutes per contest this year for the Spurs. He grabs 8.2 rebounds per game and has 2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage currently is at 84%. Rudy Gay averages 11.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 22.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.1 rebounds per contest and 1.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 78%.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles averages 108.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 9th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -1.7 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 14th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 29th in the league. They average 46.4 rebounds per game and 23.8 assists per game, which ranks them 2nd and 6th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 2nd with 16 per game. The Lakers allow 110 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 27th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 11th and 6th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.9 rebounds a game which ranks 24th and they give up 23.2 assists per contest, which puts them in 16th place in the league. They force 14.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 21st in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

San Antonio is 26th in the league with 102.2 points per game this year. They are 16th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 3.06. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 18th in the NBA. They are 11th in the league in rebounding with 44.3 boards per game, and 14th in assists per contest with 22.8. The Spurs are 25th in turnovers per game with 13.5. The Spurs surrender 99.2 points per contest, which ranks them 1st in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 6th and 5th in those defensive statistics. They rank 8th with 21.4 assists allowed per contest and 12th with 42.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Spurs are 8th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.8 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Lakers are 24th in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.2, and their defensive rating of 107.9 is ranked 19th. In terms of pace they are 1st in the league with 100.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 18th. As a team they are 22nd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 21st in the league. Los Angeles is 5th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 22nd in the league.

Advanced Statistics

San Antonio is 23rd in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 25th in the NBA. The Spurs are 15th in the league in defensive rating with 104.6, and their offensive rating of 107.9 is ranked 29th. They are 29th in the NBA in pace with 94.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 22nd. As a unit they are 21st in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shot attempts, ranking 27th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Lakers/Spurs NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take San Antonio -4

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn