Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
12 January 2023
One of the nationally televised games on Thursday night in the NBA will feature the Los Angeles Lakers hosting the Dallas Mavericks. Both teams have struggled of late, but this is an important game in the playoff race in the West for the visitors.
Dallas comes into this game with an overall record of 23-19, and that is good enough for fourth place in the Western Conference. The Mavericks have dropped three of their last four contests, and they are looking to get back on track.
The Los Angeles Lakers have had a rough season, but they have been playing better basketball since the start of the New Year. Los Angeles is still just 19-22 on the year, and they are out of the playoff picture in the Western Conference.
The Dallas Mavericks are 2.5-point betting favorites on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Doncic Needs Help in Dallas
Luke Doncic is having another monster season for the Dallas Mavericks, but he continues to need some more help from his teammates. Doncic leads the way with 34.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game, and he is firmly in the NBA MVP race.
The Mavericks have averaged just 105 points per game during this current two-game losing streak, and they have to find a way to be more efficient on offense. This team is shooting nearly 41 three-point shots per game, and that’s a problem when they aren’t shooting it well.
Dallas will try to speed this game up and wear down an older Lakers team, but they also have to find someone to slow down LeBron James.
Lakers Looking For Depth
The Los Angeles Lakers have six players averaging at least 10.5 points per game this season, but things drop off in a hurry after that. Los Angeles isn’t a team that can go deep in the bench and expect that second unit to keep up with opponents.
LeBron James is averaging 29.1 points and grabbing 8.2 rebounds per game for the Lakers, and he will try to win this game on his own. Russell Westbrook leads the team with 7.9 assists per game, but the Lakers must find more consistent scoring.
Getting stops in the paint is going to be a challenge for the Lakers as well, especially without Anthony Davis. Los Angeles will try to slow down the pace in this game, but that’s not going to be easy.
Dallas Snaps Small Skid With Win
Even though the Lakers have appeared to be playing better basketball of late, they weren’t winning games against the better teams in the league. Los Angeles just continues to struggle to score enough points without Anthony Davis, and that’s going to be a big issue in this game.
The Mavericks have the ability to shoot the ball well, and that’s what is going to happen in this game. Look for Doncic to take care of his part on Thursday night, and he is finally going to get enough help to pick up an impressive road win.
Bet the Dallas Mavericks -2.5 as they are able to get some separation in the second half of this game and pick up a comfortable victory.
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All Media on this page by Associated Press.
