Read a preview and watch a live stream of the Spurs vs the Lakers…
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles.
When: Saturday November 15, 03:30 (UK time)
Watch live: Click here to watch on BT Sport online!
The San Antonio Spurs will look to make it three consecutive wins when they face the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center on Friday night.
San Antonio got off to a slow 2-3 start to the season as they look to defend their crown this year, but big performances from Kawhi Leonard on the back-to-back against the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors ensured they improved to 4-3.
Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili have all played key roles as expected, but coach Gregg Popovich remains short-handed with the likes of Patty Mills and Tiago Splitter still out with injuries.
However, it has been Leonard who has stepped up with Popovich conceding that the team need to start running more plays through him in order to prepare him for becoming the future of the franchise.
The reigning Finals MVP totalled 45 points on 17-of-29 shooting during the back-to-back wins, and it was a significant improvement on his opening performances of the season as he struggled with an eye infection.
Nevertheless, the Spurs will be confident in their ability to claim a win over the struggling Lakers, who are now 1-7 for the season and look set for another battle to avoid finishing bottom of the Western Conference standings at the end of the regular season.
Kobe Bryant is averaging 27.5 points per game but his shooting percentage is suffering as he takes on a heavy offensive load for a team struggling to win games.
The Mamba hasn’t faced the Spurs since January 2013 after missing the last nine meetings, including all four in the playoffs that year, due to injury. However, it will be mightily difficult for him to lead the Lakers to a win which would tie the all-time series between the two teams at 77 victories apiece.
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