NBA Preview: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks
The Los Angeles Lakers will make the trip to American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas, to take on the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, January 7 at 7:30 PM ET. The Lakers are slightly favored at Nitro Sportsbook with a point spread at -4.5 (-110).
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
The Lakers are returning to action after a 119-115 loss to the Houston Rockets. This snapped their two-game win streak, with both of those being at home. They have a tough task once again, as they have a losing record on the road.
They had a slow start in the first quarter after being down 36-22. A strong third quarter of 40 points made this game interesting, but the Lakers turned it over late in the fourth quarter that proved to be a pivotal moment. Anthony Davis led with 30 points and 13 rebounds.
Both teams had good shooting on the floor around 48 percent. The Lakers actually shot better from deep at 44.4 percent and held the Rockets to 35 percent. There were a handful of defensive breakdowns and pivotal turnovers that led to their demise.
The Lakers are getting 112.3 points per game and rank 14th in the league. On defense they are ranked 19th in allowing 113.9 points a game. This spread shows a negative correlation, making it difficult to win games.
Dallas Mavericks Betting Preview
The Mavs are having a rough time without stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. They are also still without Dante Exum, but all should be able to return towards the end of the month.
In the meantime, they need to find a way to win without those three. They are currently on a five-game losing streak, with their latest disappointment being a 119-104 outing against the Memphis Grizzlies. P.J. Washington led with 17 points and was one of five players in double digits.
At this rate, the Mavs need to get more players involved on offense. On top of that, their defense has been lackluster in allowing 119.8 points a game over this losing streak.
On offense during this streak, they have averaged 109.4 points a game. Compared to their defense, this margin is tough to overcome.
Odds, Series Trends, and Free Pick
Nitro Sportsbook has the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks betting odds, currently showing the Lakers as 4.5-point favorites. According to market insights, the Mavs have a 54.6 percent chance of winning.
The Lakers are 8-10 on the road, while the Mavs are 10-6 at home. The Lakers are a little beat up, but the Mavs are still missing key star players that are hurting their flow on both ends of the floor. Look for the Lakers to cover the spread.
Final Pick: Los Angeles Lakers -4.5 (-110)
