Doncic enters the contest as the second-leading scorer in the NBA with 32.8 points per game, while James at age 37 is averaging 27 points and over eight rebounds per game.

James’ Lakers are in a bit of slump though, losing three straight with Anthony Davis injured and out of the lineup. L.A. is now 13-19 this season and are 2.5 games outside the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Two straight wins have got Dallas over .500 at 17-16, currently in eighth place in the West.

Tip-off Sunday goes at 2:30 p.m. EST, with the Mavericks 8.5-point favourites on home court and the total at 229.5 on the NBA odds.

Lakers vs. Mavericks NBA Betting Odds

Dallas has been very good at home this season with wins in 12 of their 17 home games, and welcome in a Lakers team that’s 5-11 on the road so far. L.A. has also covered in only five of their last 16 trips to Dallas too. The Mavs have covered in five straight contests against L.A.

The Lakers lost hosting Brooklyn last Christmas, as did Dallas at Utah. These teams also met on Christmas Day at L.A. in 2020, with the Lakers coming out on top by a score of 138-115. Dallas is 1-6 all-time on Christmas Day, while L.A. is 24-24. Since 2009–10, the Lakers are 4-9 straight up on Christmas.

Los Angeles Lakers

L.A. has allowed 130 points in three straight games, ruining some solid offensive outputs from a unit that’s closing in on the top five NBA offences. The Lakers are now averaging 115.7 points per game, which is sixth in the NBA and a massive turnaround from the start of the season. Not having Davis’ team-best 27.4 points per game in the lineup has instead hurt L.A. on defence. The Lakers team rebounds have dipped and as mentioned they’re allowing 130 points a night without Davis.

Thomas Bryant has done a good job in relief of Davis though, hitting double-digit points in five of his last six outings and double-digits in rebounds three times. Dennis Schroder has picked it up offensively too, scoring 69 points in the past for Lakers games.

Dallas Mavericks

A season-high 50 from Doncic prevailed Dallas to a win the last time they took the court. The Mavs entered the final quarter in Houston down nine points, and Doncic scored 17 of his 50 in the quarter for a 112-106 Mavs win. No other Dallas player scored over 11 points too, which has been an issue for Dallas this season.

The Mavs rank 23rd in the league with 111 points per outing, and 20th in field goal percentage. With Doncic going six for 12 from the three-point line against Houston, the rest of the Mavs managed to shoot 10 for 32. The Mavs are strong on defence though, allowing the sixth-fewest points.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Lakers vs. Mavericks?

• Regular Season

Lakers Team Leaders

LAL

Points	LeBron James 29.53
Assists	LeBron James 6.94
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 12.43
FG%	Davon Reed 66.7
Steals	Jarred Vanderbilt 1.41
Blocks	Anthony Davis 2.04

DAL

Points	Luka Doncic 32.91
Assists	Luka Doncic 8.19
Rebounds	Luka Doncic 8.59
FG%	Chris Silva 100
Steals	Luka Doncic 1.45
Blocks	Christian Wood 1.07

• Regular Season

Mavericks Team Leaders

LAL

Points	LeBron James 29.53
Assists	LeBron James 6.94
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 12.43
FG%	Davon Reed 66.7
Steals	Jarred Vanderbilt 1.41
Blocks	Anthony Davis 2.04

DAL

Points	Luka Doncic 32.91
Assists	Luka Doncic 8.19
Rebounds	Luka Doncic 8.59
FG%	Chris Silva 100
Steals	Luka Doncic 1.45
Blocks	Christian Wood 1.07

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Wed Foot - 21 / 03 / 23

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Sun Foot - 18 / 03 / 23

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Fri Foot - 15 / 03 / 23

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Tues Foot - 13 / 03 / 23

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Sun Foot - 11 / 03 / 23

D'Angelo Russell (PG)

Prob Sun Ankle - 11 / 03 / 23

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Fri Foot - 09 / 03 / 23

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Tues Foot - 06 / 03 / 23

Mo Bamba (C)

Mid April Ankle - 05 / 03 / 23

Dennis Schroder (PG)

Prob Fri Ankle - 02 / 03 / 23

Dallas

Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)

Ques Fri Illness - 22 / 03 / 23

Jaden Hardy (SG)

Prob Wed Ankle - 21 / 03 / 23

Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)

Prob Mon Illness - 20 / 03 / 23

JaVale McGee (C)

Ques Fri Ankle - 17 / 03 / 23

Markieff Morris (PF)

Prob Wed Knee - 15 / 03 / 23

Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)

Ques Fri Calf - 14 / 03 / 23

Christian Wood (PF)

Ques Wed Foot - 13 / 03 / 23

Maxi Kleber (PF)

Out Wed Rest - 08 / 03 / 23

Reggie Bullock (SG)

Prob Sat Quadricep - 07 / 03 / 23

JaVale McGee (C)

Prob Sat Ankle - 07 / 03 / 23

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Wed	Foot - 21 / 03 / 23	1-2	1-2	+ -
Davis has a right foot stress injury, but he is projected to lace up against the Suns on Wednesday.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Sun	Foot - 18 / 03 / 23	1-0	1-0	+ -
Davis is dealing with a right foot stress injury, but it is predicted he will be available against the Magic on Sunday.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Fri	Foot - 15 / 03 / 23	0-0	0-0	+ -
Davis missed the last contest due to a foot injury, but it is predicted that he will be available Friday against the Mavericks.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Tues	Foot - 13 / 03 / 23	1-1	1-1	+ -
Davis has a right foot stress injury, but he is projected to lace up against the Pelicans on Tuesday.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Sun	Foot - 11 / 03 / 23	3-2	1-4	+ -
Davis has a right foot stress injury, but he is projected to lace up against the Knicks on Sunday.
D'Angelo Russell (PG)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 11 / 03 / 23	3-2	1-4	+ -
Russell is expected to take on the Knicks on Sunday despite a right ankle sprain.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Fri	Foot - 09 / 03 / 23	3-2	1-4	+ -
Davis has a right foot injury, but he is projected to lace up against the Raptors on Friday.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Tues	Foot - 06 / 03 / 23	3-2	1-4	+ -
Davis is dealing with a right foot injury, but he is expected to suit up Tuesday versus the Grizzlies.
Mo Bamba (C)	Mid April	Ankle - 05 / 03 / 23	3-2	1-4	+ -
Bamba is idle with a high left ankle sprain, and he is expected to remain sidelined for at least four weeks.
Dennis Schroder (PG)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 02 / 03 / 23	4-3	2-4-1	+ -
Schroder is nursing a left ankle sprain, but it is not anticipated to impact his status against the Timberwolves on Friday.

Dallas

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)	Ques Fri	Illness - 22 / 03 / 23	2-1	1-2	+ -
Hardaway Jr. sat out the last game with an illness, and it is unclear if he will participate in Friday's showdown versus the Hornets.
Jaden Hardy (SG)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 21 / 03 / 23	2-1	1-2	+ -
Hardy is nursing an ankle sprain, but it is projected that he will face the Warriors on Wednesday.
Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)	Prob Mon	Illness - 20 / 03 / 23	1-1	1-1	+ -
Hardaway Jr. is ailing from an illness, but it is projected that he will participate in Monday's matchup with the Grizzlies.
JaVale McGee (C)	Ques Fri	Ankle - 17 / 03 / 23	0-1	0-1	+ -
McGee is nursing a right ankle sprain, leaving his status for Friday's showdown with the Lakers cloudy.
Markieff Morris (PF)	Prob Wed	Knee - 15 / 03 / 23	0-0	0-0	+ -
Morris has sat out the previous three games with left knee soreness, but it is projected that he will play against the Warriors on Wednesday.
Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)	Ques Fri	Calf - 14 / 03 / 23	0-0	0-0	+ -
Hardaway Jr. sat out the last game with a calf contusion, and it is up in the air if he will play on Friday versus the Lakers.
Christian Wood (PF)	Ques Wed	Foot - 13 / 03 / 23	1-0	0-1	+ -
Wood sat out the last contest with right foot soreness, and it is unclear if he will dress for Wednesday's clash with the Spurs.
Maxi Kleber (PF)	Out Wed	Rest - 08 / 03 / 23	1-3	1-2-1	+ -
Kleber is taking a day of rest while managing a right hamstring injury, and he will not suit up for Wednesday's clash with the Pelicans.
Reggie Bullock (SG)	Prob Sat	Quadricep - 07 / 03 / 23	1-3	1-2-1	+ -
Bullock sat out the last match with a right quad contusion, but it is forecasted that he will be available versus the Grizzlies on Saturday.
JaVale McGee (C)	Prob Sat	Ankle - 07 / 03 / 23	1-3	1-2-1	+ -
McGee has missed the previous two games due to a right ankle sprain, but he is expected to face off with the Grizzlies on Saturday.