The NBA is officially two weeks in, and Wednesday night, we get an absolute gem of a matchup on ESPN.
Luka Doncic and the streaking Lakers host perennial All-Star Victor Wembanyama to close out a nationally televised doubleheader of mid-week hoops.
First, let’s go over who we won’t see tonight.
LeBron James is still sidelined for the Lakers, and Austin Reaves was added to the injury report this afternoon. Both will be in street clothes. For the Spurs, rookie Dylan Harper is out; he joins fellow backcourt mate De’Aaron Fox, not suiting up for this one.
The Lakers are -110 favorites on the moneyline, with the over/under set at 227.5 total points, per FanDuel.
Now, let’s take a look at the best bet and prediction for this massive showdown out West, as this game has essentially turned into a pick ’em following the Reaves’ injury announcement.
Spurs vs. Lakers best bet, prediction
Amid the hoopla over whether the NBA has a true “face,” tonight’s duel between Wemby and Luka has a nostalgic feel.
Very rarely do we see a pair of superstars face off at their peak, but it’s safe to say these two have been unguardable, respectively, to start the season. One is averaging a league-best 4.8 blocks per game, while the other is literally putting up 40 points each contest.
Although it’s only year three for the 7’4″ big man out of France, we are still in awe when he slashes the lane and emphatically jams over multiple defenders. Wembanyama has also added a new array of ball-handling and perimeter skills to his game, which he displayed during his 40-point, 15-rebound opening-night performance against the Mavericks.
The sky’s the limit, and with an influx of playmakers surrounding him, including former UConn product and Rookie of the Year, Stephon Castle, the Spurs can legitimately clinch a playoff berth this season.
In his career, Wembanyama is 0-4 head-to-head against Doncic, but he’ll look to earn win number one tonight.
Betting on the NBA?
That may be a tough feat, considering Luka is averaging a triple-double (26.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 10.5 assists) whenever he faces Wembanyama.
Is it possible we took Doncic and his ability for granted? Obviously, we knew he’d command more offensive duties with James out to start the season, but did we expect a line of 41-11-8 within four starts?
I surely didn’t, but if you factor in five All-Star appearances, five first-team All-NBA nods, and an NBA finals trip before the age of 26, we are witnessing a modern-day superstar who’s developing a killer mentality.
This is the best version of Doncic we’ve ever seen. Unlike in the past, he’s playing through contact from defenders and not consulting a referee after every play.
With Reaves sidelined, Doncic is more likely to facilitate and get the Lakers’ shooters involved. San Antonio is also likely to send double teams his way. This will allow Rui Haichimura, Dalton Knecht, and Jake LaRavia more catch-and-shoot opportunities.
I’m eyeing a big night for Doncic in all three facets of the game; his efficiency and ability to draw fouls make him such a difficult player to guard. I like Doncic to eclipse his combined rebounds and assists total of 18.5. The Lakers are going to need it to back out a win at home.
The Play: Luka Doncic – Rebounds + Assists Over 18.5 (-132, FanDuel)
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Mike Turay is a sports journalist and editor who closely follows the NBA, NFL, college sports and UFC. He has demonstrated expertise in both NBA and NFL player prop bets for nearly three years. Mike is also highly knowledgeable about the sportsbook offer landscape, frequently trying and reviewing the latest apps and sites.
