Western Conference rivals are on a collision course this evening. The Lakers, despite injuries and inconsistent effort, are still 23-11 this season. Los Angeles will get a chance to make a statement tonight on the road. Wednesday’s matchup won’t be easy, however. The Spurs (25-11) are a juggernaut, looking capable of winning an NBA title. However, the health of Victor Wembanyama remains an area of concern for San Antonio going forward.
Who will step up in this clash between contenders? The Spurs are favored by 7.5 points (-102) over the Lakers, with the over/under set at 235.5 points. Here are two of the top prop bet picks on DraftKings Sportsbook for tonight’s Los Angeles vs. San Antonio matchup.
Lakers vs. Spurs prop bet picks
Marcus Smart 10+ points (-128)
Los Angeles made an effort to get tougher this offseason, bringing in veteran Marcus Smart. The former Defensive Player of the Year isn’t the same player, but he still brings hustle and grit to the Lakers. Still, the guard’s contributions don’t always show up on the stat sheet. Through 25 games, he’s averaging 9.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. Smart is shooting a middling 41% from the field as well (31% 3PT). Add it all up, and it’s difficult for bettors to trust the veteran.
With that being said, Smart still commands nearly 30 minutes per game from head coach JJ Redick. That alone makes the former Celtics star someone worth a closer look. That’s especially true with LA’s current injuries. Austin Reaves (calf) remains sidelined, while LeBron James (foot/sciatica) is questionable. On the second leg of a back-to-back, there’s a good chance LBJ sits. In two games vs. the Spurs this season, Smart has delivered a combined 43 points. For whatever reason, he loves playing San Antonio. Keeping that in mind, Smart is more than capable of reaching this modest ten-point total.
Stephon Castle 25+ points + assists (-130)
As previously mentioned, the status of Victor Wembanyama is one to watch before tip-off. With or without the superstar active, San Antonio has what it takes to earn a win this evening. A major reason for that is the team’s backcourt, one of the NBA’s best. De’Aaron Fox is the headliner, but Stephon Castle has emerged as one of basketball’s most promising young guards. The second-year pro is putting up 17.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game.
Borderline All-Star numbers aren’t a major shock if you’ve been paying any attention to Castle. Last season’s Rookie of the Year has taken major strides as a passer, leading the Spurs in assists. That lines up nicely going into Wednesday’s meeting with the Lakers. Opponents are averaging the NBA’s seventh-most assists per game vs. Los Angeles (27.8). Castle has tallied at least 25 points + assists in 15 of his 27 appearances so far. That includes a dominant showing against LA on December 10th (30 points, six assists). San Antonio’s budding superstar has a golden opportunity on tap tonight.
