The Dallas Mavericks look to end a two-game losing streak when they face the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. Thursday’s game will be the second of four NBA matchups between the Lakers and Mavericks this season. Dallas won the first game 124-115 on Christmas Day.
We’ll review the stats, trends, and odds before giving you our Mavericks vs Lakers predictions for your online sports betting ticket on Thursday.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers Odds
Before making our Mavericks vs Lakers prediction, we need to review the NBA odds today.
The Dallas Mavericks are the Moneyline favorite, with odds between -146 and -162. The Los Angeles Lakers are the Moneyline underdog, listed between +124 and +135. The Lakers have a 19-22 straight-up Moneyline record, while the Mavs are 23-19 straight-up.
The point spread is set to 3 or 3.5, depending on your sportsbook of choice. The Mavericks are listed at -3 or -3.5, with odds from -105 to -113. The Lakers are listed at +3 or +3.5, with odds between -108 and -115.
Dallas has a 14-26-2 ats record, while Los Angeles has an 18-20-3 ats record.
The total points line is set at 228.5 points. The over and under are both listed at -110. The Mavericks have a 24-18 over/under record, while the Lakers are 24-16-1 over/under.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers Information
Dallas Mavericks (23-19) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (19-22)
Location of the game: crypto.com Arena. Los Angeles, CA.
Date: Thursday, 12th January, 10:00 p.m. ET
How to watch: TNT
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers Analysis
Dallas Mavericks Performance Recap and Analysis
The Dallas Mavericks enter Thursday night with a 23-19 record, ranked third in the Southwest Division. The Mavericks have lost their last two games and three of the last four.
In their last five games, Dallas has hit the over twice, covered the spread once, and averaged 108.6 points per game (ppg) while giving up an average of 116 ppg.
Mavericks Stats
The Mavericks’ recent performances do not match their NBA team stats averages for the season. Dallas is ranked 21st in the NBA, averaging 112.1 ppg, ranked 18th and shooting at 46.9% from the field, and 16th overall, shooting 35.7% from beyond the arc.
The Mavericks struggle to pick up extra points from the free throw line, completing 74.7% of their free throw attempts (27th overall). The Mavericks are also the worst rebounding team in the league, averaging 38.8 rebounds per game.
Defensively, Dallas is much stronger, ranked seventh overall and giving up 111.0 ppg. Opposing teams shoot 47.9% from the field (23rd overall) and 35.5% from beyond the three-point line. The Mavericks are better at rebounding around their basket, ranked 20th overall and averaging 44.0 rebounds per game.
The Mavericks’ offense revolves around franchise point guard Luka Dončić. Dončić leads Dallas in most NBA player stats, averaging 34.2 ppg, 8.9 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game while shooting 50.1% from the field.
Key Injuries
The Mavericks have four players on the injury report, with veteran Dwight Powell being the only player with the potential to return on Thursday. Powell is currently listed as questionable.
Betting Trends to Know
If you are making Dallas Mavericks picks against the spread, you’ll want to know that they are 1-5 against the spread (ats) in their last six games. Dallas is 5-0-1 ats in the last six meetings overall but 1-3-1 ats in the last five meetings in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Lakers Performance Recap and Analysis
The Los Angeles Lakers enter Thursday night with a 19-22 record, ranked last in the Pacific Division. The Lakers had a five-game winning streak snapped by the Denver Nuggets, who are the second-best team in the NBA.
The Lakers have covered the spread four times in their last five games and hit the over twice. Los Angeles is averaging 121.6 ppg in the last five games while giving up 118.8 ppg.
Lakers Stats
The averages of the Lakers’ recent performances are up from their season averages. Los Angeles is ranked seventh in points per game, averaging 116.7 ppg. The Lakers are shooting 48.6% from the field (sixth overall), 32.1% from beyond the arc (24th), and completing 79.5% of their free throw attempts (11th).
The Lakers are one of the better offensive-rebounding teams in the NBA, ranked seventh overall and averaging 45.0 rebounds per game.
Defensively, Los Angeles is ranked 27th overall, giving up 117.8 ppg. The Lakers hold opponents to a 34.7% completion rate on three-point shots, ranking eighth in the NBA, and are ranked 18th in field goal percentage, holding teams to 47.2%.
Rebounding will be an interesting battle as the Lakers are ranked 26th in defensive rebounds, averaging 45.2 per game.
Lebron James leads many categories of Los Angeles Lakers stats, including points (29.1 ppg) and rebounds (8.2 rebounds per game). Russell Westbrook coming off the bench leads the Lakers in assists (7.9 per game) and averages 15.1 points per game.
Key Injuries
Los Angeles has seven players listed on the injury report heading into Thursday’s NBA schedule. The most important of these players are Lebron James, who is listed as probable, and Anthony Davis, who has been out of the lineup since late December.
Betting Trends to Know
The under is 6-1 in the last seven games in Los Angeles. The over is 5-0 in the last five Lakers’ games following a loss and 7-0 in the last seven games when Los Angeles has lost the previous game by ten points or more.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Picks
Moneyline: Our first Mavericks vs Lakers prediction is to take the Dallas Mavericks to win on the Moneyline. Considering James’s status is uncertain for Thursday night’s matchup, we’ll side with the Mavericks to win a close, competitive game.
Over/Under: The second of our NBA picks today is to defy betting trends and take the over IF Lebron James suits up for the Lakers. The Lakers have hit the over in the last two games with James in the lineup and have had a much better shooting percentage. We’ll take the over of 228.5.
Spread: Neither team is very good against the spread this season. However, we think the Mavericks will cover the spread, especially if James is out of the lineup. Take the Mavericks +3 or +3.5, depending on the sportsbook you choose.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers Score Prediction
The final score for our Mavericks vs Lakers Prediction: Dallas Mavericks 121 – Los Angeles Lakers 116.
NBA Pick: Dallas Mavericks ML, Mavericks +3.5, Over.
If you love sports and want more sports betting information follow us as @InsidersBetDig on Twitter and sign up to our mailing list for free betting picks.