Monday NBA: Spurs (29-20) at Lakers (39-13)

Will Kobe Bryant play Monday night when the Lakers host one of their most heated rivals, the Spurs? That’s the big question for the TNT nightcap, with L.A. currently a 4-point betting favorite on WagerWeb.com’s NBA odds.

Kobe sat out Saturday night’s win in Portland because of a sprained left ankle – he had played in 235 consecutive games before taking a seat. There is talk the Lakers may just sit him all week and have him skip the All-Star Game to get fully healthy, but officially Kobe is listed as questionable tonight. If Bryant were to take off tonight and Wednesday night’s game at Utah and not play in the All-Star Game Sunday, he would get 10 days off to rest his ankle. Lakers coach Phil Jackson said it is up to Kobe whether or not he plays in the two games this week.

L.A. starting center Andrew Bynum also is ailing – he sat out the second half Saturday because of a right hip bruise, and he’s also dealing with swelling in his knee. He is being called “more doubtful” that Kobe to play tonight. Bynum is averaging 15.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.

The Spurs enter tonight off one of their best efforts, a 98-81 win over the Clippers on Saturday. San Antonio held the Clippers to 10 points in the first quarter and 27 in the first half, and forcing them into 21 turnovers. It was the fewest points the Spurs had allowed all season.

Since moving into a starting role 10 games ago, Spurs guard George Hill has averaged 17.1 points per game on 51 percent shooting from the field.

These two teams have met once so far this year, a 20 point Spurs home win Jan. 12. Bryant was unable to finish that game because of back spasms. Lakers star forward Pau Gasol didn’t play in that game. The Spurs are 2-7 against L.A. when Gasol plays and are just 1-5 ATS in the past six meetings overall with the Lakers.

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