The Dallas Mavericks (2-5) will travel to Staples Center to meet the Los Angeles Lakers (2-5). The Lakers opened as 7-point favorites. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 235 points and action starts at 10:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 31, 2018.
Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers Betting Odds
Both teams fell in their last contest. The Lakers (1.5-point favorites) were defeated by the Minnesota Timberwolves, 124-120, while the Mavericks (7-point underdogs) fell to the San Antonio Spurs, 113-108. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Los Angeles game finished 5 points over the projected point total of 239, while the Dallas game finished 8 points over the projected point total of 213.
Dallas held San Antonio to an offensive rebounding percentage of 10.9 (below their season average of 28.4) while Los Angeles had a better effective field goal percentage (0.529 vs. 0.500). LeBron James led the way for Los Angeles, putting up 29 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Dallas, meanwhile, rallied around Luka Doncic, who recorded 31 points and eight rebounds.
It will be a showdown of contrasting tempos as the up-and-down Lakers will look to push the more grind-it-out Mavericks. Dating back to last season, the Lakers rank first in possessions per game while the Mavericks are 24th.
Vegas has a tendency to set the total low when the Mavericks are involved, as 71.4 percent of their games have gone over the O/U total. Dallas has a respectable record against the spread (4-3), despite being 2-5 straight up (SU).
Similarly to Dallas, games featuring the Lakers also have typically finished over the projected point total (85.7 percent). Further, Los Angeles is 2-5 SU and 2-5 ATS.
The Lakers took this series last year, winning three out of four games. In the last matchup, Los Angeles won 103-93. One of Los Angeles’ largest strengths was getting to the free throw line. They made 32 trips to the line, while Dallas went 19 times.
Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers Free Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Lakers, ATS Winner – Mavericks, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
- The Lakers average 24.0 assists per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. The Mavericks rank 17th in assists allowed per game (23.7).
- Los Angeles ranks second in points in the paint per game (52.8) while Dallas ranks last (39.6).
- The Lakers rank second in fast break points per game (18.1) while the Mavericks rank 27th in fast break points allowed per game (14.5).
- Los Angeles ranks second in rebounds per game (46.3) while Dallas ranks 27th (41.5).
- Dallas averages 33.1 three pointers per game, which ranks third in the NBA. Los Angeles ranks 17th in three pointers allowed per game (30.1).
- The Mavericks rank first in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.0) while the Lakers rank 27th (18.1).
- The Mavericks rank fifth in blocks allowed per game (4.5) while the Lakers rank 27th (5.5).
- Los Angeles ranks third in second chance points per game (14.1) while Dallas ranks 28th (10.8).
- In games where they allow under 100 points, Los Angeles is 13-5 and Dallas is 16-13.
- When reaching 100 points, the Mavericks are 20-33 and the Lakers are 34-34.
