Tip-off: Friday, 8:35 p.m. ET
Line: San Antonio -17, Total: 224

The Lakers finish off a brutal two-game stretch on Friday night when they visit the red-hot Spurs.

Los Angeles has done poorly all season as it struggles to have a consistent rotation and a clean bill of health. The club has won just one game SU over their past five contests (2-3 ATS), with their victory coming in surprising fashion against the Thunder. However, the Lakers faced Oklahoma City again on Thursday night with much different results, as they were pummeled 131-102, while shooting just 39.4% FG. San Antonio has won its past eight games SU (5-3 ATS) and 11 of their last 12. During the winning streak, the Spurs have played six of the eight games at home, including a 103-90 victory as 8-point favorites against the Trail Blazers on Wednesday night. They held Portland, one of the best offenses in the league, to just 38.6% shooting in the game. The Lakers have been less than stellar on the road this season at 11-23 SU, but are a profitable 19-14 ATS away from home. Meanwhile, San Antonio is an impressive 24-8 SU at home, but is an underwhelming 13-19 ATS in front of its fans. The two teams have played just once so far this season, with three meetings to come in the final month, including two in the next week. In the first game, the Spurs traveled to Los Angeles as 7.5-point favorites and won a low-scoring game, 91-85. The past three seasons of this matchup have been dominated by San Antonio, as it holds a 9-2 SU advantage (7-4 ATS) in that timeframe. Bettors have a couple of trends to take a look at in this one, with the Spurs going only 2-11 ATS this season after covering three of their past four games ATS, but they have done well after playing a game as the favorite over the past three seasons with a record of 114-83 ATS (58%). Injuries will not be a concern for San Antonio in this game, but the Lakers have suffered plenty in that department this season and will once again be without SG Kobe Bryant (knee), SG Nick Young (knee) and PG Steve Nash (leg).

Can the Spurs extend their win streak by covering this monstrous spread? For the answer, connect to The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks throughout the entire 2012-13 season. The five StatFox experts have been surging in NBA Best Bets recently with a 55% ATS record (62-50-1) since Feb. 10. StatFox Dave has a strong 58% ATS (42-31-1) Best Bets record since Dec. 1 and is 54% ATS (52-45-1) on Best Bets for the season. StatFox Brian remains red-hot, going 66% ATS (23-12-1) since Jan. 25 and 59% ATS (38-26-1) in Best Bets since Dec. 12.

While the Lakers are one of the worst teams in the league, they have scored a respectable 102.0 PPG (12th in NBA) this season, including 112.2 PPG over their past five contests. Their defense is horrible though, allowing their opponents to score 107.9 PPG (2nd-worst in NBA), including an unbelievable 129.8 PPG (52.1% FG) in the past five contests. During this five-game stretch, L.A. allowed more than 130 points four times, surrendering a league-high 142 points to the Clippers on March 6. PF Pau Gasol (17.7 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 1.5 BPG) had only 14 points and six rebounds in his most recent game, but averaged 24.3 PPG and 8.8 RPG in his previous four contests. He has had a solid career (41 games) against the Spurs, averaging 18.0 PPG (49% FG) and 8.7 RPG. SG Jodie Meeks (15.3 PPG, 40% threes) has scored 20.2 PPG (47% FG) over his past five games, including a season-high 42 in the win over the Thunder on Sunday night. He scored 14 points with six rebounds the first time these teams met, but has averaged just 6.6 PPG (43% FG) in 11 career games (4 starts). PG Jordan Farmar (10.5 PPG, 4.8 APG) has given the Lakers an offensive boost over his past three contests, scoring 16.3 PPG in that time. He has played 17 games while coming off the bench against San Antonio over his career, with averages of only 7.9 PPG (50% FG) and 2.4 APG.

San Antonio has one of the most efficient offenses in the league, making 48.8% of their shots on the season (2nd in NBA), leading to 104.6 PPG (7th in league). Over its past five games, the club has increased its scoring output to 112.2 PPG on 49% FG, while allowing just 97.2 PPG (44% FG); a number close to the 97.9 PPG the Spurs have given up this season (6th in NBA). PG Tony Parker (17.7 PPG, 6.2 APG) had just nine points on 4-of-13 shooting in the win against Portland on Wednesday night, but was sensational in the game against the Lakers earlier this season when he tallied 24 points, six assists and four rebounds. Over his 39 career games against them, he has averaged 17.8 PPG (49% FG) with 5.8 APG. PF Tim Duncan (15.2 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 1.9 BPG) is just about a month away from his 38th birthday, but still remains a dominant force, producing three double-doubles over his past four games. He did not play against Los Angeles this season, but has scored 19.3 PPG (46% FG) with 11.2 RPG and 1.9 BPG in 54 career games in this series. SG Manu Ginobili (12.5 PPG, 4.5 APG) has averaged 19.7 PPG over his past three contests and remains one of the best reserves in the entire league. Ginobili was solid in the win against L.A. this season (20 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists) and has netted 15.4 PPG (43% FG) to go along with 4.4 RPG and 3.9 APG in his 37 career games (18 starts) against them.