Lakers vs. Mavericks Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread
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Andrew Rogers
There was a time earlier in the NBA season when the thought of the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks being neck-and-neck in the Western Conference standings would have seemed ludicrous. And yet, here we are, with the Lakers looking to climb back into the top-4 as they visit the Mavericks on Saturday night. Los Angeles has lost two in a row but can at least take solace in the fact that Anthony Davis has returned from a 30-game injury absence.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Mavericks are slight favourites on the NBA odds in a Saturday night rematch after upending the Lakers 115-110 two nights earlier, spoiling Davis’ first game action since Feb. 14. The victory broke a streak of six consecutive non-covers for Dallas, which is just 27-31 against the spread for the season and has gone 2-6 ATS in the previous six head-to-head meetings. The Lakers, meanwhile, are 2-4 ATS in their past six – and have the support of just 39 per cent of Sports Interaction bettors.
The total consensus is more one-sided, with 81 per cent of Sports Interaction respondents taking the O217.5 (which carries identical -110 odds to the U217.5). Los Angeles has been one of the stronger Over plays in the NBA in recent weeks, boasting a 7-2 O/U mark over its previous nine games. Dallas is also riding a strong Over trend with a 4-1 O/U record in its past five. And these teams have converted the Over in four of their last five meetings in Dallas.
Los Angeles Lakers
It’s difficult to know how much court time Davis will see Saturday – but it’s almost assured to be more than the 17 minutes he played Thursday in his long-awaited return to action. And he’s a near-lock to fare better statistically than he did in a rust-filled performance that saw him shoot 2-for-10 from the field for four points. Still, it might be best to avoid any Davis props until we’re a little more confident in both his playing time and return to form.
Dallas Mavericks
While the Lakers are no doubt thrilled to have their All-Star power forward back in action, the Mavericks might have to do without their’s for a while. Kristaps Porzingis left in the third quarter of Thursday’s victory with a sprained ankle and did not return; he’s listed as questionable for Saturday’s rematch, but the initial thought is that he’ll be sidelined. With Maxi Kleber (back) also questionable, the Mavericks might be dangerously thin at power forward Saturday.
LAL
DAL