PREVIEW: The Los Angeles Lakers host the San Antonio Spurs in a potential Western Conference playoff series preview on Tuesday night , with both teams positioned near the conference's elite tier. Los Angeles enters the matchup in a back-to-back situation after dropping a home contest to Oklahoma City , while San Antonio has enjoyed rest since Saturday. The Lakers rank first in the league at efficiently attacking the rim and maintain an elite free throw rate, though they struggle defending those same attacks. The Spurs boast the league's top-ranked defense against rim attacks but reveal concerning spacing issues on offense. With Luka Doncic sidelined by injury and coming off a Monday defeat, Los Angeles desperately needs LeBron on the floor , as he has scored 20 or more points in five of his last six outings. San Antonio has heated up following an early stumble, currently riding a four-game winning streak that included 135 and 138 points in back-to-back contests against Dallas. San Antonio's low turnover rate and strong defensive rebounding provide a foundation to slow the Lakers' efficient attack , though their inefficient transition game and low offensive spacing could prove problematic against a well-rested opponent . This matchup presents a fascinating clash between San Antonio's defensive discipline and Los Angeles' explosive scoring firepower, with rest and momentum both playing critical roles in determining the outcome.