The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers meet at Crypto.com Arena in a rematch of Christmas Day. This time we are in Los Angeles after the Mavericks pulled away for a 124-115 win at home. We have our exclusive Mavericks vs. Lakers predictions and best bets for Thursday night in LA.
The Lakers are looking to finish this time after blowing an 11-point halftime lead. They did an excellent job slowing down Luka Doncic and preventing him from taking the game over. Basketball is a game of two halves, though, and the Lakers did not show up for the next half.
Dallas scored a whopping 51 points in the 3rd quarter to outscore the Lakers by 30 points. From an 11-point deficit going into the 3rd quarter, to going into the 4th quarter with a comfortable lead. That was a game the Lakers let get away and waste a 38-point effort from LeBron James.
Mid-season reps pic.twitter.com/YVhbUaYRxx
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 11, 2023
via@Lakers
The Lakers were 13-20 following the loss on Christmas. Since then, they’ve improved to 19-22 on the season. Going into Thursday evening, the Lakers are 12th in the Western Conference. They needed this run to stay in the mix.
Before a 122-109 loss to the Nuggets on Monday, the Lakers had won five straight games. Following the loss to the Mavericks on Christmas, they beat the Magic, 129-110, and won six of their next eight games.
The Mavericks are on the road for five games, with two games of this road trip completed. They came up short in both outings. In the first attempt, the Mavericks were short in a 120-109 final against the Thunder on Sunday. The Mavs came back with a 113-101 loss against the Clippers.
Head below for our Mavericks vs. Lakers best bets and betting pick for January 12, 2023.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers Live Betting Odds:
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Mavericks | -3 (-110) | -145 | Over OFF (-110) |
| LA Lakers | +3 (-110) | +125 | Under OFF (-110) |
| Team Data | Dallas Mavericks | LA Lakers |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Record | 23-19 | 19-22 |
| ATS Record | 14-26-2 | 18-22-1 |
| Away/Home Record | 7-13 | 10-8 |
| ATS Away/Home | 6-14-0 | 9-8-1 |
| Points Per Game | 112.1 | 116.7 |
| Points Against Per Game | 111.0 | 117.8 |
| Field Goal % | 46.9 | 48.6 |
| Three Point % | 35.7 | 34.1 |
Mavericks vs. Lakers Predictions
The Mavericks have not been a good bet this season. Despite a record of 23-19, the Mavericks have lost money for their bettors. They are just 14-26-2 against the spread going into their second appearance this week at Crypto.com Arena in LA.
Backing Luka Doncic is always a popular play, but he and the Mavericks are not covering many point spreads. They’ve been overvalued by oddsmakers so far in the 2022-23 season. Mind you, the Lakers have not been a profitable bet at 18-22-1 ATS.
However, the Lakers have covered five of their previous six outings going into Thursday night. They covered five in a row before just missing out as 12.5-point underdogs in a 122-109 loss to the Nuggets.
LeBron Back In The Lineup
He sat out against the Nuggets in the 13-point loss at Denver. James was coming off a 37-point effort against the Kings on January 7. The Lakers won that contest as 7.5-point underdogs at Sacramento, 136-134.
LEBRON JAMES REVERSE DUNK. 🔥🔥🔥
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 3, 2023
via@TheHoopCentral
The five recent spreads the Lakers have covered were all as underdogs. Not only did they cover, but the Lakers won straight up.
The offense has been on fire for the Lakers. They’ve put in an average of 121.6 points per game on 51.4% shooting over their last five attempts. The Mavericks are typically reliable defense has not been all that recently.
Dallas is going into this second attempt in Los Angeles with 116 points against and a 47.4% field goal percentage in their previous five outings. On the road this season, the defense has not been effective, with a 49.8% field goal percentage allowed.
Mavericks Need More Aggression On The Boards
The Mavericks have gotten used to plenty of one-and-done trips. They are 30th in offensive rebounding. Picking up second-chance points has not been the norm for the Mavericks.
Doing the fundamentals properly has been an issue for the Mavericks. Along with struggling to rebound, the Mavericks are 27th in free throw percentage at 74.7%. This would be a much better team if they’d improve at the charity stripe and collect more rebounds.
Mavericks vs. Lakers Betting Pick:
Look for the Lakers to exploit the Mavericks defensively on Thursday night. The Mavericks’ defense has been a bit deceptive this season. They’re allowing 111 points per game, which is fine, but giving up a 47.9% field goal percentage is not.
It gets worse on the road with nearly a 50% field goal percentage for their opponents. That looks good for a Lakers team that has been in a rhythm offensively. Overall, the Lakers are sixth with 116.7 points per game and a 48.6% field goal percentage.
The Lakers allowed their matchup against the Mavericks slip away on Christmas Day. They were in control and then stopped playing. In a game that should go down to the wire in the 4th, the Lakers as a home underdog looks like a good bet on TNT.
For our Mavericks vs. Lakers prediction, we like a final score of 117-115 at Crypto.com Arena.
MORE FREE SPORTS BETTING PICKS!
