Over the past few games, the San Antonio Spurs have experienced consecutive losses but managed to bounce back with victories, and Coach Mitch Johnson is hopeful his team can replicate that resilience this time. On Wednesday night at 9:30 p.m. ET, San Antonio (with a record of 25-11) aims to prevent their first three-game losing streak of the season when they host the hot Los Angeles Lakers (23-11). Earlier this season, the two top Western Conference teams faced off twice in Los Angeles, with each team winning one game. The Spurs’ recent results saw them narrowly losing 106-105 to the Grizzlies in Memphis, while the Lakers defeated the Pelicans 111-103 in New Orleans, extending their winning streak to three games. However, Los Angeles will be missing key guards Austin Reeves and Rui Hachimura due to calf injuries, and LeBron James may also sit out as he hasn’t played back-to-back games this season.
There are eleven other NBA games scheduled for Wednesday, including the Toronto Raptors (22-15) traveling to Spectrum Center to face the Charlotte Hornets (13-23) at 7 p.m. ET. Both teams are aiming for their third straight win, with Toronto coming off a dominant home victory over the Atlanta Hawks, and Charlotte securing road wins against the Bulls and defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
In the NHL, five games are on tap, highlighted by the Calgary Flames (18-20-4) taking on the Montreal Canadiens (23-13-6) at the Bell Centre at 7:30 p.m. ET. Their last meeting in October saw the Canadiens win in overtime 2-1. College basketball also features notable matchups, such as St. Louis (13-1) versus VCU (11-4) at the Siegel Center in Richmond, Virginia, broadcast on CBS Sports Network at 7 p.m. ET. Both teams are riding winning streaks—seven for St. Louis and five for VCU.
According to recent consensus betting odds, the Spurs are favored by 8.5 points over the Lakers, while the Raptors are slight favorites by 1.5 points over the Hornets. The Canadiens are at -149 odds against the Flames, and VCU is a 3.5-point favorite in their college matchup. Here’s a quick overview of what to watch and bet on for Wednesday, January 7th.
NBA Highlights & Viewing Recommendations:
Raptors vs. Hornets
Time: 7 p.m. | Location: Charlotte | TV: NBA League Pass | Streaming: Fubo (free trial)
SportsLine models favor the Raptors at -124, with expert Con Knuppel predicting they will score 17.5 points or more. The Hornets have performed well against Toronto recently, winning two of three meetings, but the Raptors have been dominant lately, making them a strong pick to win in 56% of simulations. Charlotte guard Con Knuppel has been a consistent offensive performer, scoring at least 18 points in most of his recent games.
Lakers vs. Spurs
Time: 9:30 p.m. | Location: San Antonio | TV: ESPN | Streaming: Fubo (free trial)
SportsLine’s model has the Spurs favored by 8.5 points, possibly benefiting from the absence of LeBron James, who may sit out this game due to his ongoing schedule management. The Lakers are down key scorers Reaves and Hachimura, making it unlikely they’ll pull off a win without their stars. The Spurs previously beat the Lakers by 13 points in Los Angeles with their full squad available, which suggests they may cover the spread again with Julien Champagnie expected to contribute heavily.
NHL Highlight & Viewing Recommendations:
Canadiens on Fire
Time: 7:30 p.m. | Location: Montreal | TV: ESPN+ | Streaming: Fubo (free trial)
Experts predict a low-scoring game with less than 6.5 goals, favoring the Canadiens’ victory on the moneyline at -146. The Canadiens, ranking eighth in the NHL with 141 goals, are currently on a strong run, especially compared to Calgary’s struggles, and the projection indicates this will be a tight, low-scoring affair.
College Basketball Action:
VCU vs. St. Louis
Time: 7 p.m. | Location: Richmond, Virginia | TV: CBS Sports Network | Streaming: Fubo (free trial)
Predictions favor the under 171.5 total points, with St. Louis likely to cover the spread of +2.5. The Billikens have been notably defensive this season, and their recent performances support a lower-scoring game.
Fan Take:
This busy sports night offers plenty of exciting basketball and hockey action, but the Lakers’ potential injuries and the Spurs’ recent form make their matchup particularly intriguing for fans looking for an upset. For hockey enthusiasts, the Canadiens’ current hot streak and Calgary’s road struggles could lead to a low-scoring, tightly contested game—perfect for those who enjoy betting on to low-scoring outcomes.
