Lakers vs. Spurs prediction, odds, line: 2022 NBA picks, March 7 best bets from model on 71-44 run – CBS Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers aim to build on an important win when they visit the San Antonio Spurs on Monday. The Lakers knocked off the Golden State Warriors in a prime-time tilt on Saturday, improving to 28-35 this season. The Spurs are 24-40 and looking to stop a four-game losing skid, with head coach Gregg Popovich seeking a victory that would tie him for the all-time career record for coaching wins. Devin Vassell (groin) and Keita Bates-Diop (back) are listed as questionable, and Dejounte Murray (calf) has been cleared and will be available for San Antonio. Anthony Davis (foot) and Kendrick Nunn (knee) are out for Los Angeles, with LeBron James (knee) listed as questionable.

Caesars Sportsbook lists San Antonio as a two-point home favorite fro this 8:30 p.m. ET tipoff. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over-under, is 232.5 in the latest Lakers vs. Spurs odds. Before making any Spurs vs. Lakers picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven computer model. 

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past three-plus seasons. The model enters Week 19 of the 2021-22 NBA season on a stunning 71-44 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning more than $2,100. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Lakers vs. Spurs, and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Spurs vs. Lakers:

• Lakers vs. Spurs spread: Spurs -2
• Lakers vs. Spurs over-under: 232.5 points
• Lakers vs. Spurs money line: Spurs -130, Lakers +110
• LAL: The Lakers are 14-25 against the spread in conference games
• SAS: The Spurs are 20-15-1 against the spread in conference games

Why the Lakers can cover

The Lakers have a couple of clear edges on defense. Los Angeles creates havoc on a regular basis, forcing 14.5 turnovers per game. The Lakers are also in the top eight of the NBA in steals per game (8.0) and in the top five of the NBA in blocks per game (5.7). San Antonio attempts the fewest free throws (19.0 per game) in the NBA this season, and the Spurs are also in the bottom five of the league in free-throw accuracy. 

On offense, the Lakers rely on strong shooting inside the 3-point arc, with Los Angeles converting 54.0 percent of 2-point attempts. That leads to an above-average field goal percentage of 46.5 percent, and the Lakers are in the top 10 of the NBA in free-throw attempts, averaging 22.2 per game. The Spurs are in the bottom quartile of the NBA in field-goal percentage allowed (46.8 percent) and defensive rebound rate (71.1 percent) this season.

Why the Spurs can cover

The Spurs bring tangible strengths to the table, but Popovich’s team should also benefit from the shortcomings of the Lakers. Los Angeles is just 7-16 in the last 23 games, with opponents out-scoring the Lakers by 4.7 points per 100 possessions over that sample. Los Angeles ranks in the bottom 10 of the NBA in both offensive and defensive rating over the last two months, and the Lakers are in the bottom five in overall rebounding. 

From there, the Lakers are No. 27 in the NBA in turnover rate for the full season, and Los Angeles is No. 29 in free-throw accuracy. On defense, the Lakers are No. 26 in assists allowed and No. 27 in free-throw attempts allowed. With San Antonio leading the NBA in assists and posting top-five marks in field-goal percentage and ball security, there is every reason to project the Spurs to find offensive success against the Lakers.

How to make Spurs vs. Lakers picks

SportsLine’s model is leaning over on the total, predicting 233 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in well over 60 percent of simulations. You can only see the model’s pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Lakers vs. Spurs? And which side of the spread hits well over 60 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.