Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers Preview and Prediction (1/12/23)
Line: Mavericks -3, Lakers +3
Total: 233.5
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Odds Breakdown
The Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers will be meeting up once again this season on Thursday.
The Dallas Mavericks are coming into this game as the favorite at -3, and the over/under is sitting at 233.5 points.
Dallas Mavericks Preview
Dallas is sitting at 23-19 coming into this game, and they will be looking to improve that record against the Lakers.
The biggest problem that this Dallas Mavericks team is facing is that it just doesn’t feel like they have much help for Luka Dončić. Luka is undoubtedly an MVP candidate at this point in the season, and he just needs a little help. But luckily for Dallas, Luka is so good that he could win the game for them single-handedly. But, it won’t be too easy against the Lakers.
Dallas hasn’t had great defense this season, but the Lakers could very well be short-handed coming into this game. Anthony Davis will be out for a bit, and even Russell Westbrook is listed as day-to-day after dislocating his pinky finger against the Nuggets, so even he could be missing as well for this game. But the challenge that Dallas will have will be trying to guard LeBron James. The 38-year old is having a very solid season, and it’s difficult to know who will be tasked with guarding him. Whoever does guard him though will definitely have his hands full with how dominant LeBron can be.
Los Angeles Lakers Preview
LA has an injury riddled roster right now, and they may have to rely on LeBron James to give them a chance in this game.
LeBron James will definitely be given the ball a lot in this game. They have a lot of names on their injury report right now, and they need to rely on LeBron to give them a chance to win, because their defense is going to have a difficult night with Luka Dončić on the floor, who played great against LA the last time they met up.
The last time Luka played against the Lakers, he put up some great numbers, with him having 32 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. And what’s crazy about that stat line is that it feels like he has only gotten better ever since then, with him even putting up 60 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Knicks a few weeks ago. It’s incredible to watch what he’s doing this season, and the Lakers are going to have their hands full with him on the defensive side of the ball.
Winner Prediction: Dallas Mavericks -3
Going into this game, it just feels like the Lakers are just way too injured as of right now.
And on top of that, if Luka Luka Dončić can continue to play at a high level, Dallas should be able to get the win over the Lakers.
