The Los Angeles Lakers visit the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Both teams are battling for position in the Western Conference, with the Lakers sitting at 5th with a 20-15 record, while the Mavericks are right behind them in 6th place at 20-16. This is the first matchup of the season between these two teams, with Dallas winning seven of their last nine meetings since 2022.
Dallas is reeling from a five-game losing streak, their longest in four seasons, and faces significant injury challenges with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving both out. The Lakers, meanwhile, aim to bounce back after a narrow loss to the Houston Rockets and continue their strong play, having won seven of their last ten games.
Lakers Preview – Can Los Angeles Dominate Shorthanded Dallas?
The Lakers are led by Anthony Davis, who is averaging 26.0 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game. Davis is coming off a strong showing against Houston, where he posted 30 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks. LeBron James adds 24.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game, while Austin Reaves contributes 18.4 points as a reliable third option.
Los Angeles ranks 9th in field goal percentage and benefits from solid free-throw shooting, ranking 3rd in the league in free throws made. Defensively, the Lakers excel in blocks and steals, ranking 4th and 7th respectively. They will look to exploit a Mavericks team struggling to generate offense without their top stars.
Injuries have been a concern for the Lakers as well, with Cam Reddish, Anthony Davis, and LeBron James all listed as day-to-day. However, their depth and defensive prowess give them an edge in matchups against depleted opponents like Dallas.
Mavericks Preview – Can Dallas End Their Losing Streak?
The Mavericks are in a tough spot without Luka Doncic (calf strain) and Kyrie Irving (bulging disk). Doncic, who leads the team in points (28.1), rebounds (8.3), and assists (7.8), is irreplaceable, and Irving’s absence only compounds their struggles. To make matters worse, center Daniel Gafford suffered an ankle sprain in Monday’s loss to Memphis and is expected to miss time.
Klay Thompson (14.2 points per game) and P.J. Washington (12.8) will need to step up to fill the void. Washington led Dallas with 17 points in their last game, but the team’s offensive efficiency has plummeted without Doncic and Irving. Defensively, Dallas ranks 14th in points allowed but has struggled to control the glass, ranking 28th in offensive rebounds allowed.
Head coach Jason Kidd emphasized a “next-man-up” mentality, but the Mavericks have been outmatched during this losing streak. Their 1-5 record since losing Doncic underscores how critical their superstars are to the team’s success.
Betting Prediction
The Lakers are favored by 6.5 points, with the total set at 218.5. Los Angeles’ superior depth and the Mavericks’ struggles without Doncic and Irving make the Lakers a strong pick to cover the spread. Dallas will likely struggle to generate offense, and with both teams ranking in the middle of the pack defensively, the total could stay under.
Expect the Lakers to control the game with strong performances from Davis and James, while the Mavericks’ shorthanded roster will likely fall short of keeping pace.
Pick: Lakers -6.5, Under 218.5
