SAN ANTONIO – LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers battle Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in Emirates NBA Cup action today – Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 – at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. The matchup is available to watch on multiple streaming services for free.
This NBA Cup opener will be broadcast live on ESPN with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Eastern. (6:30 p.m. Central). Fans who have parted ways with their cable provider can catch the game at no cost by taking advantage of streaming alternatives like DirecTV Stream, which offers a free trial. FuboTV is also offering a free trial and $20 off your first month.
Sling TV has promotional offers for new customers.
The Lakers (7-4) begin their defense of the inaugural NBA Cup from last season. Los Angeles is on a three-game winning streak, including a 128-123 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. They have tallied an average of 122.3 points with a plus-11.7 win margin in that span.
Tonight’s game will be a West Group B matchup.
James continues to amaze, tallying three consecutive triple doubles. James is nearly averaging a triple double, tallying 24.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 9.4 assists (third in the NBA) while shooting 52.4% from the field.
Anthony Davis will lock horns with Wembanyama. The power forward is averaging 30.2 points (second in the NBA), 10.8 rebounds (eighth) and 2.8 assists while shooting 56% from the field. While Davis’ two-way abilities are well documented, his scoring has seen an uptick.
Davis is probable to play with left plantar fasciitis.
Shooting guard Austin Reaves continues to emerge alongside James. He has 18 or more points in five of his six games. Reaves is averaging 18.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists while shooting 47.3% from the field. He will likely draw the veteran matchup with San Antonio’s Chris Paul.
Power forward Rui Hachimura is coming off a 19-point performance against the Grizzlies. He is averaging 12.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 42.1% from the field. Hachimura is questionable with a right ankle sprain.
Watch Lakers vs. Spurs for free on DirecTV Stream
The Spurs (6-6) have won three of their last four games and are coming off a thrilling 139-130 victory over the Washington Wizards where Wembanyama exploded for a career-high 50 points.
The 7-foot-3 skyscraper is averaging 22.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, both team highs. He also touts 2.7 assists and 3.8 blocks while shooting 47.1% from the field. His 3-point game seems to have undergone a transformation as he has hit 14 3-pointers in the last two games. A scary sight for the rest of the Association.
Wemby faced the Lakers three times last season, notching 30, 13 and 27-point performances.
Paul, playing for his seventh NBA team, can still make an impact, averaging 10.3 points, 8.6 assists and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 46.3% from the field. He has recorded nine or more assists in three consecutive games.
Small forward Keldon Johnson has provided a punch off the bench. He averages 12.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists while shooting 45.1% from the field. Johnson has scored 10 or more points in seven of his last eight games.
San Antonio’s defense has been the story, allowing 109.2 points per game, which is the fifth-fewest in the league. That unit will be put to the test again the surging Lake Show.
It marks the first meeting between James and Wembanyama since Team USA defeated France in the Gold Medal Game of the Paris Olympics.
Watch Lakers vs. Spurs on FuboTV for free
Lakers-Spurs Injury Report
Los Angeles Lakers: Jaxson Hayes (left ankle sprain), Jalen Hood-Schifino (left groin soreness), Jarred Vanderbilt (right foot surgery recovery) and Christian Wood (left knee surgery recovery) are all out.
Rui Hachimura (right ankle sprain) is questionable.
Anthony Davis (left plantar fasciitis) is probable.
San Antonio Spurs:
David Duke Jr. (G-League two-way), Harrison Ingram (G-League two way), Tre Jones (right ankle sprain) and Riley Minix (G-league two-way) are all out.
Who is announcing Lakers vs. Spurs?
Ryan Ruocco (play-by-play), Richard Jefferson (analyst) and Candace Parker (analyst) will be the announcers while Angel Gray reports courtside.
What are the latest odds for Lakers vs. Spurs?
Moneyline: LA: (-148), SAS: (+124)
Spread: LA: -3, SAS: +3
Over/Under: 228
Here’s more information on how to watch Lakers-Spurs on TV or streaming services:
What: NBA basketball: Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs
When: Friday, Nov. 15, 2024
Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern (6:30 p.m. Central)
Where: Frost Bank Center | San Antonio, Texas
Channel: ESPN
Best streaming options: FuboTV (free trial and $20 off first month), DirecTV Stream (free trial) and Sling TV (half off first month)
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