Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers Prediction, NBA Odds
The Dallas Mavericks limp into Los Angeles on an eight-game losing streak, and to make matters worse, their shining star, rookie sensation Cooper Flagg, has reportedly suffered a left midfoot sprain and will miss this game, All-Star Weekend festivities, and more.
Without Flagg, the Mavericks have limited redeeming qualities. This matchup tonight sets up perfectly for the Lakers to steady themselves before the All-Star break. At 19-34, Dallas sits 12th in the West and is now full-steam ahead toward a coveted tank, as this upcoming draft class looks more appealing with each passing college basketball week.
The Lakers, 32-21 and fifth in the West, are jockeying for playoff seeding. The team was optimistic that Luka Doncic would return to the lineup against his former team, but it seems that with Flagg out, Doncic has followed suit and will miss his fourth consecutive game. Los Angeles has already beaten Dallas twice this season, including a 116-110 win on Jan. 25 behind 33 points from Doncic.
The NBA odds board lists the Lakers as 6.5-point favourites.
Mavericks vs. Lakers NBA Betting Odds
Dallas is 5-17 away from home and 7-16 against the spread on the road. The Lakers are 28-24-1 ATS overall and as an offensive-minded team, have had 30 of their 53 games go over the point total. The Mavericks rank fourth in pace, which often inflates totals, but they are 27th in offensive rating.
Los Angeles leads the NBA in field-goal percentage at just under 50%, ranks second in free-throw attempts per game, and ninth in paint points, which are all key edges against a Dallas defence that is dead last in paint points allowed.
Dallas Mavericks
It’s been a brutal stretch for Dallas. The Mavs haven’t won since Jan. 22 and are coming off a 120-111 loss to Phoenix despite 31 points from Naji Marshall and 27 from rookie star Cooper Flagg. With Kyrie Irving still yet to make his season debut, Anthony Davis traded to Washington at the deadline, Dereck Lively II done for the season, and now Flagg out, it’s now the P.J. Washington + Marshall show. Uh oh.
In his last 29 games, Flagg had really hit his stride, averaging roughly 24 points on just under 50% shooting while continuing to rebound and facilitate. And despite his elevated play, Dallas still struggled to convert fast pace into efficient scoring. Without Flagg, tonight could get ugly.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are coming off dropping back-to-back home games to the Thunder and Spurs, but just about every team is going to lose both games in a B2B situation against the two best teams in the West. Plus, the Lakers were short-handed in both contests, missing Luka Doncic with a hamstring injury, along with LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton, and Marcus Smart in that second leg against the Spurs.
While Doncic remains out, Ayton is now listed as a game-time decision, and Smart, LeBron, and Reaves, now rested, are all set to play. Los Angeles ranks 11th in offensive rating while scoring 51.5 paint points per game — fifth in the West.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Mavericks vs. Lakers?
This matchup heavily favours Los Angeles. The Mavericks have zero incentive to win tonight, while the Lakers get multiple starters back, looking to make a statement at home and boost morale going into the break.
The Mavericks don’t force turnovers (27th in turnover rate forced), which limits their ability to exploit the Lakers’ ball-security issues, and LA should feast in the paint. With what should be a healthier starting five and extra rest ahead of the break, expect the Lakers to put up a crooked number.
DAL
LAL