The defending champion Lakers are in San Antonio today to take on the league's top team, the Spurs. This afternoon's clash between two Western Conference rivals, which are meeting for the third time this season, is scheduled to tip off at 3:30pm ET at the AT&T Center (ABC). The latest NBA Spreads have the Spurs listed as a -2.5 against the spread home favorite and the Over/Under set at 190.5.
Los Angeles has lost its last three meetings with the Spurs, a streak that dates back to April of 2010. San Antonio 
recorded two of those wins this season, beating the Lakers 97-82 at home on December 28th and 89-88 on February 3rd at the STAPLES Center.
Tony Parker, who returned unexpectedly from a calf strain in the Spurs Friday night drubbing of the Heat (125-95), was instrumental in both of those victores, scoring 23 points in the first get together and 21 points in the second. The Spurs defense also stepped up big, limiting the Lakers to 35.4 percent shooting in the 97-82 win and 2-for-14 from beyond the arc in the 89-88 nail biter.
Kobe Bryant tallied a total of 37 points in the two meetings, but he shot poorly in both of them, connecting on 8-of-27 and 5-of-18 for a paltry 28.8 field goal percentage. He will need to fare better today if the Lakers hope to keep their current six game win streak alive.
Los Angeles dropped three in a row going into the All Star break, but has emerged from the festivites as, perhaps, the hottest team in the league not named Dallas.
The Spurs are 5-1 since All Star weekend, their only loss coming at Memphis in a game which Parker did not participate.
A Lakers win today would improve the team's record to 45-19 overall and reduce the Spurs Western Conference lead over them to 6.5 games. If the Spurs, which are 29-2 at home, prevail, they will see their league best win total climb to 52. More importantly, though, they will remain 5.5 games ahead of the smouldering Mavericks (winners in 18 of their last 19 games) in the Southwest standings.
Lakers vs Spurs NBA Spreads March 6th, 2011:
Los Angeles Lakers +2.5 (-110), Over 190.5 (-110), +120 (Moneyline)
San Antonio Spurs -2.5 (-110), Under 190.5 (-110), -140 (Moneyline)
