Lakers vs. Spurs odds, props, predictions: LeBron faces Wemby for first time on NBA TV

The San Antonio Spurs had an immense amount of hype around their team coming into the season due to rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama. The rookie has played very well, but the Spurs have not had much success as a team. It is important to remember that the Spurs had the second-worst record in the NBA last season, and Wembanyama was the only significant addition to the playing rotation.

The Lakers are having a solid start to their season and are coming off an NBA in-season tournament championship. Los Angeles lost a close battle to the Mavericks last night in their lone game since that title. The Lakers are 12-13 against the spread this season, but they have been much better recently, covering four of their last five.

Even as heavy underdogs most nights the Spurs are only 8-14 against the spread. The notable betting trend for San Antonio is their game point totals — the OVER has hit in 14 of 22 opportunities. The Spurs actually started their season reasonably well, going 3-2 over their first five. Since then, San Antonio has lost 17 in a row. 

We have the live odds, team betting news, player props and a betting prediction for the Lakers vs. Spurs for NBA TV's Wednesday night matchup.

Live odds for Lakers vs. Mavericks 

Los Angeles Lakers betting news

The Lakers are playing a second-straight night after a two-point loss to the Mavericks on Tuesday. The Lakers played well against Dallas but could not overcome a monster night from Luka Doncic, who had 33 points, 17 assists and six rebounds. Los Angeles played well enough to win, but Luka is the type of player who can carry the Mavericks to a win on any given night, even without Kyrie Irving. 

What was good to see was the continued high-level play from LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves. LeBron scored 33 points with nine rebounds and eight assists. AD led all scorers with 37 points and had a double-double with 11 rebounds. At the same time, Austin Reaves continued his hot scoring run, scoring 22 points while going 4-of-7 from three.  

The matchup against the Spurs will be historic in many ways and potentially a game played on sports shows for years to come. LeBron James has been the face of the NBA for over a decade, and even as the King approaches 40 years old, he is still the league's biggest star. The NBA needs someone who can take the torch from LeBron and be the star of the next generation. 

Victor Wembanyama is the next in a long line of players touted as the NBA's next LeBron/face of the league. Wednesday's game on NBA TV will be the first time the two stars have played one another, which ensures there will be plenty of eyes on this one.

San Antonio Spurs betting news

The Spurs season has not gone as many fans hoped, but those hopes were unrealistic for this team. Victor Wembanyama has produced at a high level, but he is only one player and is only 19 years old. The Spurs were able to get Wembanyama when they won the NBA's Draft Lottery, and they had good chances of getting a high pick because of their terrible record last season. 

The Spurs know they will not be a contender in Wemby's rookie season, and securing another high draft pick to pair with their rookie center may be their path to long-term success. Greg Popovich is a mastermind and one of the best coaches in the history of the NBA. It is not crazy to think that there is a long-term plan in place to develop Wemby, build the roster and be ready to compete for the NBA championship within two or three seasons. 

As for this season, Wembanyama has been incredible, and for any realistic NBA bettor or avid fans, the French rookie has played better than expected. That is saying something because the expectations for Wembanyama are enormous and continue to be for the 7-foot-4 unicorn. He is averaging 18.6 PPG and 10.6 RPG, leading San Antonio in both categories. 

If there was a reason the Spurs have not improved, it is the regression of players already on the roster when Wembanyama arrived. Keldon Johnson led the Spurs in scoring a season ago averaging 22 PPG. Johnson has only averaged 16.7 PPG this season, a significant regression for the fifth-year player.

As for the matchup with the Lakers, it is hard to imagine the Spurs beating L.A. The contest is worth tuning in for as it will be fun to watch Victor Wembanyama matching up with Anthony Davis or LeBron James at various points in the game, creating the potential for some fun highlights. 

Lakers vs. Spurs Player props at Bet365 Sportsbook

Here are a few of our favorite value player prop odds for Lakers vs. Spurs on NBA TV.

Victor Wembanyama prop bets

• 20.5 points OVER (-120) / UNDER (-110)
• 1.5 threes made OVER (+125) / UNDER (-155)
• 11.5 rebounds OVER (-130) / UNDER (+100)
• 2.5 Assists OVER (-135) / UNDER (+105)
• 2.5 blocks OVER (-115) / UNDER (-115)
• Score first basket (+500)

Devin Vassell props bets

• 20.5 points OVER (-120) / UNDER (-110)
• 2.5 threes made OVER (-115) / UNDER (-115)
• 3.5 rebounds OVER (-105) / UNDER (-125)
• 3.5 Assists OVER (+105) / UNDER (-135)
• 0.5 blocks OVER (+240) / UNDER (-330)
• Score first basket (+750)

Keldon Johnson prop bets

• 20.5 points OVER (-120) / UNDER (-110)
• 1.5 threes made OVER (-190) / UNDER (+155)
• 6.5 rebounds OVER (+115) / UNDER (-145)
• 3.5 Assists OVER (-155) / UNDER (+125)
• 0.5 blocks OVER (+210) / UNDER (-270)
• Score first basket (+1000)

LeBron James prop bets

• Score first basket (+650)

Anthony Davis prop bets

• Score first basket (+425)

D'Angelo Russell prop bets

• Score first basket (+425)

Lakers vs. Spurs prediction: LeBron proves he is still the face of the NBA in dominating win

San Antonio will host the Lakers, and it is the second night of a back-to-back for Los Angeles. The spread for this game favors the Lakers but is lower than one might think. Despite several factors giving the Spurs some advantages, San Antonio has lost 17 games in a row and has not kept a game within five points in any of their last four contests. 

Similar to last night, the one caveat we gave that could flip the game in favor of the Mavericks was a takeover performance from Luka Doncic. We give that caveat of the Lakers win and cover unless Victor Wembanyama has a monster night. Even at only 19 years old, he has already proven he can do that.

Earlier this season, he carried the Spurs to victory over the Suns with 38 points and 10 rebounds. That was the last time the Spurs won a game. Outside of a repeat performance like that from Wemby, the Lakers should win and cover tonight.