Lakers vs. Mavericks: NBA odds, Picks and Predictions
Lakers vs. Mavericks Odds
| Lakers Odds | +4.5 |
| 76ers Odds | -4.5 |
| Over/Under | 236 |
| Date | Sun, Feb. 26 |
| Time | 3:30 p.m. |
| TV | ABC |
The NBA week will conclude with a nine-game slate on Sunday, including a marquee matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks at 3:30 p.m. EST on ABC. Entering play, Los Angeles (28-32) owns the third-worst record in the Western Conference, but is still only 3.5 games behind Dallas (32-29), the current occupant of the 6-seed in the standings. Oddsmakers are expecting a competitive game script between these two teams this afternoon, pricing the Mavericks as 4-point home favorites on the spread.
Los Angeles Lakers
Russell listed as doubtful
D’Angelo Russell is unlikely to play on Sunday due to a right ankle sprain that he suffered this past Thursday against the Golden State Warriors. Prior to suffering the injury, Russell had been making a positive impact with the Lakers since being acquired at the trade deadline, averaging 17.3 points and 5.7 assists per game.
Lakers looking to avoid play-in tournament
Coming out of the All-Star break, head coach Darvin Ham commented to the media that his goal for the stretch run of the regular season is to obtain the 6-seed in the Western Conference, therefore avoiding the play-in tournament prior to the postseason.
In the team’s first action following the break, they took care of business against a short-handed Golden State team, winning 124-111 in their home building behind a 25-point effort from Malik Beasley on a night in which LeBron James and Anthony Davis combined for only 25 points.
Tonight, Los Angeles has a much more difficult task, going on the road where they are 13-18 this season, to play Dallas, which is 20-10 at home.
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Dallas Mavericks
Kyrie Irving’s impact
Since acquiring Kyrie Irving, the Mavericks are 3-2 in his five games played, including a 142-116 win over the San Antonio Spurs this past Thursday. In those five contests, Irving is averaging 27.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 6.8 assists on an efficient 54.5% shooting from the field and 46.2% shooting from beyond-the-arc.
Per Cleaning the Glass, Dallas is scoring an astounding 133.1 points per 100 possessions with both Irving and Luka Doncic on the floor together, which ranks in the 100th percentile. The defense has been less impressive, ranking in the 48th percentile in a sample size of 148 possessions.
Texas tough at home
Playing on their home floor this season, Dallas has been excellent – winning 20 of their 30 games. In two home contests since trading for Irving, the Mavericks are averaging a league-best 134.2 points per 100 possessions. Expect this group to be well-prepared and ready to execute on Sunday.
Lakers vs. Mavericks – Picks & Predictions
Simply, the Dallas Mavericks offense has been otherworldly dominant with both Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic on the floor together since the trade. In 148 possessions together, Irving and Doncic have led a lineup that would lead the entire NBA for the season in offensive efficiency.
On Thursday, the Los Angeles Lakers scored 124 points, despite the fact that LeBron James and Anthony Davis shot a combined 8-for25 from the field, scoring only 25 total points. Expect positive regression from both of the Lakers’ stars in this spot.
In a matchup between two high-powered offenses, the over is the smart lean.
PICK: Over 236 (-112, FanDuel)
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