Los Angeles at San Antonio

A quick glance at the 2008 playoffs, especially after round one, shows that the home teams have truly dominated. The Spurs have been as good as ever on their home floor as they have amassed a 7-0 mark. This is not anything new for this veteran Spurs team. They have now gone 42-12 at home over the past six years, and in complete dominating form. They have won 26 of the 42 by double digits and 33 of the 42 by 7+ points! They have not skipped a beat this season either, winning the last four at home by 17 ppg on average. The Lakers have been playing some of their best basketball of the year, but the 84 points in game three was their lowest output of the year. They realize what they have to do to win on the road here - play great defense and match the intensity of the Spurs. That's easier said than done, but the Lakers will turn it up a notch on defense, especially at the game's onset. As we get deeper into the playoffs, both of these teams continue to increase the defensive intensity. Los Angeles allowed 51 ppg in the first half during the regular season but in the playoffs they have cut that to 48.9. In their last five games, it has dropped to 46.8. San Antonio allowed 46 per game in the first half in the regular season but just 44.2 over their last five games. Under Popovich, the Spurs are 19-7 UNDER in the first-half in the Conference Finals. We like the Spurs to come out fired up, play great defense, win and cover the game, and for the first-half to come in UNDER the total.