The San Antonio Spurs kicked off the 2025-26 NBA season with an impressive five-game winning streak, which was snapped by a 130-118 defeat to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers, after splitting their first four games, have surged ahead with four consecutive wins, including a 123-115 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday. The Lakers managed this without three key players—LeBron James (sciatica), Luka Doncic (leg), and Austin Reeves (groin). The Lakers (6-2) could see the return of Doncic and possibly Reeves in their upcoming game against the Spurs (5-1) on Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET. Reeves, who is fourth in the NBA for both scoring (31.1 points) and assists (9.3), is questionable for the game, while Doncic is expected to play.
Despite their injury challenges, the Lakers are favored by 2.5 points in the latest sportsbook odds against the Spurs, with a total points over/under set at 227.5. This day also features 10 other NBA games, five NHL matchups, and two college football MAC conference games. Below are highlights and betting recommendations for Wednesday, November 5th.
In NBA recommendations, the Timberwolves take on the Knicks at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN, with the Knicks favored at -155 according to SportsLine models. Both teams are on winning streaks, with the Knicks undefeated at home this season and expected to keep their streak alive. The Spurs face the Lakers at 10 p.m. on ESPN, with the Lakers favored at -136. The Lakers previously won four of five meetings in the 2024-25 season and will rely heavily on Doncic. SportsLine projects the Lakers to have a 60% chance of winning this game, while Spurs’ Stephon Castle is expected to perform strongly.
For NHL, the St. Louis Blues visit the Washington Capitals at 7:30 p.m. on TNT. The Blues recently snapped a seven-game losing streak and are looking for a second straight win. The Capitals are on a four-game losing streak and rely on goalie Logan Thompson. SportsLine models slightly favor the Capitals but expect a close game.
In college football, Northern Illinois meets Toledo at 7 p.m. on ESPN2. Northern Illinois seeks to recover from a tough losing stretch but faces a strong Toledo team leading the MAC in several categories. SportsLine models predict Northern Illinois will cover the spread 65% of the time, suggesting a competitive game.
Fan Take: While this NBA update focuses heavily on basketball, the inclusion of NHL and college football action reminds hockey fans that the season is in full swing and competitive matchups are everywhere. The Capitals versus Blues game is particularly intriguing, signaling key moments for goaltenders and team momentum that could shape the rest of the NHL season, underscoring the importance of every game in this intense playoff race.
