Dallas Mavericks (20-15) vs Los Angeles Lakers (20-15)
Game Info: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at 7:30 pm (American Airlines Center)
Betting Odds: Dallas Mavericks +5.5 -- Over/Under: 223 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: TNT
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have been in pretty good form lately as they've won seven of their last 10 games overall. The Lakers will be hoping to bounce back in this one after having their two-game win streak snapped by the Rockets in a 119-115 road defeat on Sunday. Anthony Davis led the team with 30 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks, LeBron James tallied 21 points with 13 rebounds and nine assists, Austin Reaves tallied 21 points with 10 assists while Max Christie chipped in with 14 points. As a team, the Lakers shot 48 percent from the field and 16 of 36 from the 3-point line. The Lakers didn't start the game with the right effort on defense and had to work hard to cut a 22-point deficit to just two points. The Rockets slippered away in the end.
Dallas Mavericks
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks have been in a slump as they've lost six of their last seven games overall. The Mavs will be hoping to stop a five-game losing streak after getting thrashed by the Grizzlies in a 119-104 road defeat last night. PJ Washington led the team with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, Naji Marshall added 16 points, Klay Thompson scored 15 points, while Dereck Lively chipped in with 14 points and 12 rebounds. As a team, the Mavericks shot just 40 percent from the field and 13 of 36 from the 3-point line as they poured in 36 points in the first quarter to take an early 12-point lead. The Mavs went cold and always looked in trouble after scoring just 19 points in the second quarter. The Mavericks struggled mightily against the defense of the Grizzlies, especially in the final 5:07 where they managed just eight points. The Mavs will meet the Blazers and Nuggets after this game.
Why the Dallas Mavericks will win
- The Mavericks have won each of their last eight Tuesday games against the Lakers.
- The Lakers have lost five of their last six night games against Mavericks teams that held a winning record.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in 11 of their last 12 road games when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Mavericks have covered the spread in each of their last five games as underdogs on the second leg of a back-to-back.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Lakers have won seven of their last eight games against Southwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Mavericks have lost 24 of their last 30 games when playing with a rest disadvantage against the Lakers.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in each of their last six night games against Western Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Mavericks' last six night games on the second leg of a back-to-back has gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Lakers' last four games as road favorites against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back has gone UNDER the total points line.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction
The Lakers are still keeping an eye on Gabe Vincent and Cam Reddish who are both questionable, while the Mavericks are still missing Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic, and Daniel Gafford. The Lakers will be disappointed with their loss to the Rockets on Sunday. The Lakers were in a groove before that defeat and I think they can beat a depleted Mavericks team who didn't look good at all in last night's defeat to the Grizzlies.
Peter’s Pick Los Angeles -5.5
AUTHOR: Peter Tran
