The Los Angeles Lakers invade the American Airlines Center to take on the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night. Here’s a Mavericks vs Lakers Prediction. This article will include a Mavericks vs Lakers Pick.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers haven’t been at their best lately as they’ve lost six of their last nine games overall. They will be hoping to bounce back here after getting stopped by the Clippers in a 112-104 road defeat on Thursday. Luka Doncic led the team with 32 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, LeBron James added 23 points with six assists while Rui Hachimura chipped in with 12 points off the bench. As a team, the Lakers shot 45 percent from the field and 11 of 33 from the 3-point line as they struggled to contain the Clippers in the first half and fell behind by 26 points. This was a shame because they rallied to cut the deficit to just two points, before the Clippers responded with a decisive 9-0 run to pull away again.
Dallas Mavericks Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks have been in great shape lately as they’ve won five of their last six games overall and they will be aiming for a fifth straight victory after taking down the Warriors in a 123-115 win on Thursday. Naji Marshall led the team with 30 points, seven rebounds and nine assists on 10 of 12 shooting, Cooper Flagg and Max Christie each scored 21 points while Brandon Williams chipped in with 19 points off the bench. As a team, the Mavericks shot 50 percent from the field and 13 of 35 from the 3-point line as they really had to scrap for most of the game just to remain within striking distance. They finally caught fire with 39 points in the fourth quarter to secure the gritty win at home.
Why the Dallas Mavericks will win
- The Mavericks have won each of their last five games as home underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
- The Lakers have lost four of their last six games as road favorites against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Mavericks have covered the spread in eight of their last nine games as home underdogs.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven road games against teams that held a losing record.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Lakers have won each of their last 10 games against Southwest Division opponents that held a losing record.
- The Mavericks have lost eight of their last nine games against Pacific Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Mavericks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games against the Lakers after winning as underdogs.
- The favorites have covered the spread in each of the Lakers’ last four games.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of the Lakers’ last nine games against the Mavericks following a road loss have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Mavericks’ last four home games have gone OVER the total points line.
Dallas Mavericks Player Facts
- Klay Thompson ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for three-pointers made per 36 minutes (4.8) this season.
- P.J. Washington is one of only five qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.0 threes, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks this season.
Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts
- Luka Doncic ranks 1st amongst qualified players for points per game (33.4) this season.
- Deandre Ayton is the only player to have made 10+ field goals without a miss in a game this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Mavericks rank 1st in the league for opponent three-point percentage this season (32.9%).
- The Mavericks rank 30th in the league for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (93.9).
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (3.7).
- The Lakers rank T1st in the league for Q4 opponent points per game this season (25.7).
Mavericks vs Lakers Prediction
The Lakers are still missing Austin Reaves, while the Mavericks have ruled out Kyrie Irving, Dereck Lively II and Anthony Davis with Moussa Cisse listed as questionable. The Lakers have been struggling a bit lately despite being relatively healthy, and they will have mixed emotions in this one as they almost overcame a 26-point deficit in their last game, only to lose yet another close game. In contrast, the Mavericks have quietly been playing some of their best basketball of the season, and they are now riding a four-game win streak after beating the Warriors in their last game. I get why the Lakers are favorites on the road, but the Mavericks are clearly the team in better form right now, and I think they can keep it going with an upset win at home in this one.