Lakers at Spurs Odds & Betting Tips | NBA Preview

The San Antonio Spurs are hopeful Victor Wembanyama is able to return from a hyper-extended knee sustained in a game last week. The Spurs split their first 2 games without their star player losing to Portland on Saturday. After a quick trip to Memphis the Spurs complete a back-to-back against the Lakers.

A recent stretch of 3 straight losses and 4 setbacks in 5 games had Lakers’ coach JJ Redick questioning his team’s commitment. LA responded with two straight wins over Memphis to get back on track with Luka Doncic and LeBron James scoring 65 points between them in Friday’s win.

Lakers at Spurs Preview

Two of the top four teams in the Western Conference square off in the third of four meetings this season when the Los Angeles Lakers visit the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. Tipoff from Frost Bank Center in San Antonio is at 9:30 p.m. ET and the game can be seen on ESPN.

Public Betting Odds Factors

The health of Wembanyama is paramount to San Antonio’s success. The former No. 1 overall pick limped off the floor in Indiana with what the team described as a hyper extended knee. He missed the next 2 games with the Spurs losing to Portland at home on Saturday.

Not having Wembanyama in the lineup is nothing new. He’s missed 40 percent of the team's first 35 games yet the Spurs have maintained their position in the West going 10-4 in his absence, proving they are more than a one-man team.

Losing to Portland at home on Saturday wasn’t a good look for the Spurs. It was their third loss in 5 games that also saw them go 2-3 against the NBA betting line. Two of the losses were at home to sub-.500 teams.

The Lakers also had a recent rough spell dropping 4 of 5 games with only one payout in that stretch. All four losses were by at least 15 points with three of them by more than 20. LA improved to 22-11 with consecutive wins over Memphis, but when they lose they don’t put up much of a fight. All of their losses were by at least 10 points with six by as much as 20 points.

With a 19-14 record against the NBA point spread, the Lakers have the fifth best cover percentage in the league.

Doncic scored 34 and 36 points in the wins over Memphis giving him four straight games with at least 30 points. He currently leads the NBA averaging 33.7 points

Lakers at Spurs Predictions

The Lakers home/road splits have been alarming. They have the best OVER percentage in the NBA at home but are just 8-9 against the OVER on the road averaging nearly 7 points less per game. And if Wembanyama plays, his defensive presence will alter the way LA attacks. As a team the Lakers shoot higher than 50 percent overall from the floor, but they rank near the bottom in 3-point shooting giving value to the UNDER.

With Austin Reaves on the shelf with an injury the Lakers lost a major option on the offensive end. Reaves is averaging 26.6 points and carried the team earlier in the season when Doncic and LeBron were sidelined.

Lakers at Spurs Betting Tips

The teams are close in the standings entering the week separated by only 2 games. The Lakers have a better road record than at home winning 12 of their first 17 away games playing stronger defense to get there.

LA is 19-14 overall against the NBA spread with the UNDER at 22-11. The Spurs are 21-13-1 ATS and the OVER is 18-17.

Following an impressive 20-point win over OKC before Christmas, the Spurs have gone sour at home winning just one of their next four. Included in that stretch were losses to Utah and Portland, teams the Spurs should beat to be a championship contender.

Lakers at Spurs Head to Head and Key Stats

The teams split the first two games of the season series with both taking place in LA. San Antonio won the most recent matchup, 132-119, last month playing without Wembanyama while LA’s roster was mostly intact.