With Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum both questionable due to injuries, the Los Angeles Lakers could be short-handed on Monday when they host the San Antonio Spurs.
The Los Angeles Lakers could be without Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum on Monday while hosting a chance for revenge against the San Antonio Spurs. Gregg Popovich’s squad opposes them in the middle of its annual ‘rodeo’ road trip, which resulted in a profitable 5-2-1 against the spread last year.
Lamar Odom had a season-high 22 rebounds on Saturday, as his Lakers drowned Portland, 99-82. Los Angeles was a two-point road favorite with Kobe Bryant out of action to rest his injured ankle.
Bryant’s absence also affected scoring as the 181 combined points dipped well ‘under’ the 192 ½-point ‘total.’
DonBest.com initially listed the Lakers’ leading scorer (28 PPG) as ‘questionable’ to play on Monday. Also ‘questionable’ is the team’s leading shooter, Andrew Bynum (56.8 percent), who suffered a hip injury against the Trail Blazers. Don't
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Bynum missed two matchups early in the season, but the Lakers still went 2-0, SU and ATS, with ‘totals’ splitting.
San Antonio faced Bryant and Bynum in its 105-85 spanking of the Lakers last month as a 3 ½-point favorite, but did not go against Pau Gasol, who was sidelined then.
The Spurs shot 57.3 percent without the big Spaniard’s presence, but the combined 190 points still ducked ‘under’ the 194-point ‘total.’
Gasol averaged 20 PPG in three matchups against the Spurs last season.
Popovich’s crew crippled the Clippers, 98-81, as 3 ½-point favorites in Staples Center on Saturday. Stingy defense from San Antonio held LA's dribblers to only 27 points in the first half in spoiling Kim Hughes' debut as interim coach following Mike Dunleavy stepping away from bench duty.
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The combined 179 points plunged far ‘under’ the ‘total’ of 195.
George Hill had one of his biggest nights, leading the Spurs’ scoring with 22 points. Most came from beyond the arc, as he drained 4-of-6 three-point shot attempts.
Tony Parker notched a double-double with 14 points and assists. He also led the Spurs in steals with four.
The victory brought San Antonio to 2-1 SU and 1-2 ATS since the start of its ‘rodeo’ journey. ‘Unders’ have lassoed cash at 2-1.
The Lakers filled wallets at 2-1 SU and 3-0 ATS against the Spurs last year. ‘Over’ backers collected at a 2-1 clip.
However, the sole matchup sliding ‘under’ the ‘total’ was the only contest held in Staples Center. The Lakers defeated the Spurs, 99-85, that afternoon as 7 ½-point favorites, and had as much as a 21-point lead.
Bynum logged 15 points and 11 boards in that meeting. The New Jersey native was red-hot then with his third of five straight double-double’s.
This Western Conference clash tips at 10:30 p.m. (ET), and is part of a nationally-broadcast doubleheader on TNT.