NBA Basketball
2025-12-10 - San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Lakers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NBA Basketball
Wednesday 10th December 2025 - Scheduled 10pm
3am (British Time)
Preview
This is a fascinating NBA Cup Quarter Final between two teams that will be pushing for a top six spot in the Western Conference come the end of the regular season. There is a chance that the squads will look pretty different by then with rumours of potential trade moves that can be made, but for now there is an early trophy to be won by moving through to the latter stage of this in-season Cup competition.
The Los Angeles Lakers (17-6) have the benefit of hosting against the San Antonio Spurs (16-7) and the home team look the healthier of the squads that are taking part.
Luka Doncic missed a couple of games last week as he became a father for the second time, but he was back in action ahead of the NBA Cup Quarter Final. When the Lakers beat the Spurs in November, Doncic was playing without Austin Reaves and LeBron James, but both are gong to suit up and give the Lakers that much more depth, which makes it only right that they have been set as the favourite.
Recent form has been erratic with two wins and two losses from the last four games played and they are facing a confident San Antonio Spurs team that have won five of the last seven games.
The Spurs are pushing forward without Victor Wembanyama, but there is a feeling that they are playing 'mind games' with the Lakers and the superstar is expected to suit up for this one. Playing without him would be challenging, but having Wembanyama's presence on the court opes things up for some of the younger members of the roster and will make the Spurs dangerous in this Quarter Final.
Both teams will be confident in their ability to score points, although the challenge for the Lakers and the Spurs is finding the big Defensive stops. In recent outings, the Lakers have perhaps shown a touch more resilience, but San Antonio will feel they can do enough with the ball in their hands to keep the scoreboard ticking over in the bid to earn the upset.
Turnovers are going to be important, while San Antonio may feel they can produce a bit more from the three point shooters, especially if Victor Wembanyama comes back into the lineup.
In recent meetings, the Lakers have been the team to find a bit more and to win the game and they are 4-1 against the spread in the last five between these teams. That has to be a factor, but the Spurs are playing with plenty of momentum and that may turn out to be the decisive factor when it comes to the final spread.
Prediction
The Lakers may edge this, but there looks to be enough points worth chancing in backing the road underdog in this last of the four NBA Cup Quarter Final games.
The Pick :
Los Angeles Lakers 115-112 San Antonio Spurs
