Lakers vs Spurs: Game preview, starting time, TV

The Los Angeles Lakers have made it to the final leg of their road trip, taking their four-game winning streak to San Antonio when they face the Spurs Saturday night. Brandon Ingram has been ruled out with a strained hip flexor, an injury he sustained when he took a flying knee during the Lakers’ win over the Miami Heat.

San Antonio has endured nearly an entire season without Kawhi Leonard, still third in the Western Conference with a 36-26 record. LaMarcus Aldridge has been the largest benefactor of the void left without Leonard, averaging a team-high 22.5 points per game. That’s five points per game above his average last season, and his field goal percentage is also up (50.1% overall).

Julius Randle’s been a beast since surviving the trade deadline. His physicality will be key in trying to disrupt Aldridge around the court, while his overall athleticism should make him a mismatch nightmare on the other end. Randle is averaging 19.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists over the last five games. He’s also shooting 58.2 percent form the field overall. Not bad.

Finally reaching that elusive five-game winning streak will be difficult sans Ingram, but the Lakers have definitely been playing some of their best hoops of the year. Lonzo Ball is making his presence felt all over the court, stuffing the stat sheet as his minutes go up.

A tough test for the Lakers is overdue after their burst out of All-Star. Competing, and beating, the Spurs would be a statement. Enjoy the game!

Time: 6 p.m. PT

TV: Spectrum SportsNet