Dallas Mavericks vs Los Angeles Lakers Tips, Odds & Predictions

The Mavericks’ offense has been poor despite playing at a fast pace. This is mainly attributed to the adaptation of a new offensive system and injuries to key personnel. They have low shooting percentages in catch-and-shoot (31%), unguarded catch-and-shoot (29%), and layup percentages (47%), have a lack of offensive identity, and live-ball turnovers are fueling opponents’ transition points.

On the other hand, the Lakers’ defense has struggled, ranking in the bottom tier of the league in several key categories. The team has shown inconsistent effort, particularly in the third quarter. The Mavericks' offense is atrocious, and this matchup will be decided by the effort of the Lakers on the defensive end.

• Cooper Flagg (Small Forward)
  Cooper Flagg is one of the few positive stories of the Mavericks. The rookie leads the team in steals with 1.3 while averaging 18.8 points per game.
• P.J. Washington (Power Forward)
  P.J. Washington has had a difficult year dealing with injuries and inconsistencies. He is, however, the third leading scorer for the team with 14.6 points per game.
• Klay Thompson (Shooting Guard)
  Although Klay Thompson has been demoted to the bench, starting only eight of the 39 games he has played, he is capable of turning back the clock with a virtuoso performance from time to time, as witnessed recently against the Utah Jazz. He is averaging 11.7 points per game.

The Lakers’ offense is one of the best in the NBA, although the team has recently struggled with consistency in production. The team excels at shooting overall, ranking 2nd in FG%, with inside scoring a key strength. Their Inconsistent 3-Point Shooting is, however, becoming an Achilles heel.

The Mavericks’ defense, on the other hand, is performing well, with a defensive rating that ranks them among the top 10 teams in the league. Dallas holds opponents to a low field goal percentage, ranking fifth in the league in that category. This indicates strong shot-contesting efforts.

This promises to be a competitive contest between one of the best offenses and defenses, with the winner probably taking the win.

• Luka Doncic (Point Guard)
  Luka Doncic is on an offensive tear this year. The MVP candidate leads the NBA in scoring with an average of 33.6 points per game while also leading his team in assists and steals with 8.7 and 1.6, respectively.
• LeBron James (Small Forward)
  LeBron James is a living legend of the game. The King continues to amaze with his consistency and longevity deep in his 23rd season. He is the team’s third leading scorer with 22.7 points per game.
• DeAndre Ayton (Center)
  DeAndre Ayton is the team’s defensive anchor and X-factor. It’s simple: if he is dominant on both ends, the Lakers are a hard team to beat. He leads the team in blocks and rebounds with one and 8.7, respectively, while averaging 13.9 points per game.