After defeating the New Orleans Pelicans to begin their quick two-game road trip, the Lakers (23-11) are back at it on Wednesday when they take on the San Antonio Spurs (25-11). This is the third match
between the two teams this season as the series is currently split at 1-1.
Start time and TV schedule
Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs
When: 6:30 p.m. PT, Jan. 7
Where: Frost Bank Center
Watch: ESPN, Spectrum Sportsnet
The Lakers beat the Pelicans in the most predictable way possible: in clutch time, where they are now 13-0. Ideally, it would’ve been nice to put the Pels to bed early in order to save energy for the Spurs but that’s hard to ask from this team. Still, they’ve proven they can get the job done and that’s something they need to do again on Wednesday.
The Lakers are stumbling upon a Spurs team that will also be on the second night of a back-to-back. They’re coming off a loss against the Memphis Grizzlies, whom the Lakers just beat twice last weekend. Their superstar, Victor Wembanyama, is currently on a minute restriction. He came off the bench and saw just 21 minutes of action in Tuesday’s loss to the Grizzlies.
It’s uncertain what Wembanyama’s status will be against the Lakers. However, what’s clear is that the Spurs are being very careful with him, so there’s a good chance that he will be on a minute restriction again. But even if Wembanyama’s minutes are limited, the Lakers will have their hands full.
Remember, in the previous game between the two teams, Los Angeles was dominated by San Antonio sans their superstar big man. The purple and gold had no answer for Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox, who torched them for a combined 50 points. It also didn’t help that their supporting cast of Keldon Johnson, Julian Champagnie and co shot the ball very well from the perimeter, leading to the 13-point blowout victory.
The Spurs have punished the Lakers in second-chance points and transition all season, so expect them to attempt to do the same on Wednesday. L.A. will have to step up its game and play better than against the Pelicans if they want to keep up with a Spurs team that will be determined to snap a two-game losing streak. The Spurs are 12-5 at home and haven’t lost three straight games this season.
Hopefully, the Lakers will hand them their third straight loss, but it’s surely going to be a battle. Let’s see if the Lakers can conclude their quick two-game road trip with a victory in San Antonio.
Notes and Updates
- After Tuesday’s victory against the Pelicans, the Lakers are now 13-5 on the road this season.
- The Spurs, who are currently sitting in second place of the Western Conference standings, are now just two games above the Lakers in the win column. A Lakers win on Wednesday will put them in second place.
- As for the injury report, the Lakers and Spurs won’t release theirs until a few hours before tip-off since both teams played on Tuesday.
- Although for the Lakers, expect Rui Hachimura (right calf strain), Austin Reaves (left calf strain) and Adou Thiero (MCL sprain) to be out.
You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.
