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San Antonio (5-1) at LA Lakers (6-2)
- When: Nov 5 2025, 10:00 PM
- Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- TV: ESPN
San Antonio vs LA Lakers Preview & Prediction
Spread: LA Lakers -2.5
Moneyline: LA Lakers (-140)
Total: 227.5
San Antonio Spurs Betting Overview
After a blistering start to the season, the Spurs were handed a reality check in Phoenix, where they got cooked 130-118. San Antonio’s defense, which had been one of the stingiest in the league, suddenly looked like Swiss cheese, giving up 63% shooting in the first half and falling behind by 31 points.
Victor Wembanyama, normally a walking highlight reel, had one of those nights he’ll want to delete from memory: nine points, nine boards, and six turnovers. Credit the Suns’ double-teams, they swarmed him like he owed them money. But to his credit, Wemby didn’t sugarcoat it. He said the loss was a learning opportunity, knowing every opponent will throw the kitchen sink at him from here on out.
The Spurs also took a hit when rookie guard Dylan Harper exited with a calf injury, thinning their depth just as they were hoping for De’Aaron Fox’s long-awaited debut which, surprise surprise, is still delayed. That leaves last year’s Rookie of the Year, Stephon Castle, as the engine once again. Castle’s 20 points, six boards, and five assists per game have kept the Spurs competitive, but without Fox, their offense sometimes runs on fumes when Wemby gets trapped.
If San Antonio wants to hang with the Lakers, they’ll need to rediscover their defensive backbone and get Wemby comfortable against double coverage, because the Lakers aren’t going to make it easy inside.
Player Prop Pick (Spurs): Victor Wembanyama Over 9.5 Rebounds – Coming off a rare single-digit board night, Wemby should feast on a Lakers frontcourt that struggles boxing out when Ayton sits.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Overview
If the Lakers were waiting for the injury bug to take a break, they might be waiting until the playoffs. LeBron James (sciatica) and Luka Doncic (leg) have missed time, Austin Reaves sat out the last game, and yet somehow Los Angeles keeps winning, sitting at 6-2 and making bettors double-check the roster every night.
Their latest outing, a 123-115 road win over Portland, might’ve been their most surprising yet. Deandre Ayton dominated against his former team with 29 points and 10 boards, while Rui Hachimura dropped 28 of his own. But the star of the show? Two-way rookie Nick Smith Jr., who came off the bench, shot 10-for-15, nailed five threes, and played like he’d been waiting his whole life for that green light.
Head coach JJ Redick couldn’t stop smiling afterward, probably because Smith single-handedly saved his rotation from collapse. Ayton, meanwhile, continues to look like the steady big man the Lakers hoped they were getting when they signed him this offseason. He’s quietly putting together consistent double-doubles and has been a stabilizing presence under the rim.
If the Lakers keep getting this kind of balanced scoring, they might not need LeBron to rush back. Still, facing a long and athletic Spurs team will test their defense in the paint and whether their second unit can maintain the offensive pace they showed in Portland.
Player Prop Pick (Lakers): Deandre Ayton Over 18.5 Points – Ayton’s confidence is peaking, and against a Spurs defense that just gave up 130, he’s in a prime spot to dominate again.
NBA Final Score & Expert Prediction
The Spurs are young, long, and dangerous, but they’re also inconsistent, and road games like this tend to expose that. The Lakers, even shorthanded, are playing with swagger and depth, and their frontcourt advantage should tilt the matchup their way.
Final Score: Lakers 116, Spurs 110
Lean: LA Lakers -2.5
Total: Under 227.5
- NBA Basketball Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
- Get real-time live scores & latest betting odds here!
