25* Spurs/Lakers TNT TOTAL OF THE YEAR on Spurs/Lakers UNDER 200

San Antonio vs. LA Lakers, 04/17/2012 22:30 EDT, Score: 112 - 91

Total: -110/+200 Under

Sportsbook: DSI

Result: Loss

I have the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs playing part in a defensive battle tonight. These teams match up very well against one another defensively, and that has certainly been proven throughout the years.

Eleven straight meetings between the Lakers and Spurs have seen 197 or less combined points. In fact, 22 of the last 23 meetings between these teams have seen 199 or less combined points. That makes for 22-1 and 11-0 systems backing the UNDER pertaining to tonight's total set.

The Lakers are likely to be without Kobe Bryant again tonight. Without Bryant on the floor, the Lakers certainly struggle offensively. They also try and slow down their offense and run it through their two big men in Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. This slows the tempo and makes for more of a half-court game.

Los Angeles just beat San Antonio 98-84 on the road on April 11th for 182 combined points. The Spurs are 82-47 to the UNDER revenging a straight up loss vs opponent as a home favorite since 1996. The Lakers are 9-1 to the UNDER versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season. The UNDER is 20-6 in Spurs last 26 vs. a team with a winning S.U. record. The UNDER is 20-6 in Lakers last 26 vs. a team with a winning S.U. record. The UNDER is also 20-6 in the last 26 meetings in this series. Bet the UNDER in this game Tuesday.