Mavericks vs. Lakers Prediction
Two teams heading in the opposite direction to start the season will clash tonight in Los Angeles when the upstart Lakers host the struggling Mavericks at 10:30PM ET.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Lakers are 4.5-point home favorites versus the Mavericks after opening as 5-point favorites. As for the total, the number hit the board at 205.5 and that’s where it currently sits at the majority of online and Vegas sports books.
MAVERICKS KEY TRENDS: The Mavericks have been a solid play in recent meetings with the Lakers, covering the spread in seven of their last 10 games against L.A. and going 13-6 at the betting window in their last 19 road games versus the Lakers. They’re also 11-5 against the spread in their last 16 road games dating back to last season but have failed to cover the number in five of their last seven games versus Western Conference competition.
LAKERS KEY TRENDS: The Lakers are a perfect 7-0 against the spread in their lat seven home games and are 4-0 against the number in their last four games overall. Unlike the Mavs, they’ve also played well against Western Conference competition, going 5-1 at the betting window in their last six conference games. Dallas has dominated in this series, but the favorite is 8-3 against the spread in the last 11 meetings between these two teams.
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OUR PREDICTION: The Lakers are thriving in Luke Walton’s fast-paced offense, averaging 119.7 points during a three-game winning streak. D’Angelo Russell (team-high 15.9 points per game average) and Julius Randle (14.4 points, plus 7.9 rebounds per game, which leads the team) are both making strides in their development, plus no longer have to play in Kobe Bryant’s shadow. The Mavs have owned the Lakers in the past, but the two teams are headed in opposite directions. Dallas will want to slow down L.A.’s pace but look for the Lakers to stay hot and cover the number tonight at home.
TUESDAY NBA FREE PICK: LOS ANGELES LAKERS -4.5