The Los Angeles Lakers (23-34) will attempt to lengthen an eight-game home winning streak when they meet the Dallas Mavericks (18-40) at Staples Center. Los Angeles is a 3.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 224 points. Tip-off is set for 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday, February 23, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPN.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers Odds Preview
The Mavericks were beaten by the Sacramento Kings in their last game, 114-109. With 19 points on 7-for-13 shooting, J.J. Barea led Dallas in scoring. Sacramento held the Mavericks to an offensive rebounding percentage of 10.8 (below their season average of 17.9). Dallas, meanwhile, did a great job of converting from the free throw line (18-23; 78.3 percent).
In the Lakers’ last game, they were defeated by the Minnesota Timberwolves, 119-111. With 17 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, Los Angeles’ Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had a good performance. Minnesota made good use of their 31 trips to the charity stripe, converting on 29 of them (93.5 percent). Los Angeles, meanwhile, was just 18-26 (69.2 percent).
It will be a showdown of opposite styles as the up-tempo Lakers (ranked first in the NBA in possessions per game) will look to push the more grind-it-out Mavericks (25th in possessions per game).
Of Dallas’ 58 games, 32 have finished under the O/U total, while 30 of Los Angeles’ 57 games have finished over the O/U total. The Lakers have the superior straight up (SU) record (23-34 vs. 18-40) and a narrow edge against the spread (ATS) (30-27 vs. 29-29).
Both teams have had a player heat up over their last five games. For the Mavericks, it’s been Dwight Powell, who has averaged 16.0 points and 8.8 rebounds, while the Lakers have received great contributions from Julius Randle (20.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists).
These two teams have already met twice this season, each winning once. Harrison Barnes recorded 21 points and six rebounds in the most recent matchup, in which the Mavericks beat the Lakers 130-123, covering as 3.5-point favorites. The two teams combined to put up 253 points, which was 39.5 points above the projected point total of 213.5 points. The Mavericks played a nearly perfect game. They had an absurdly low turnover percentage of 8.2 and a free throw rate of 0.247. For those same stats, the Lakers had marks of 15.4 and 0.179, respectively.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers Prediction
Free Pick: SU Winner – Lakers, ATS Winner – Lakers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Lakers rank second in rebounds per game (46.2) while the Mavericks rank 27th (40.6).
- Dallas ranks fifth in three pointers attempted per game (32.4) while Los Angeles ranks 21st in three pointers allowed per game (30.0).
- Los Angeles ranks second in fast break points per game (17.2) while Dallas ranks 25th in fast break points allowed per game (13.7).
- On the road, Dallas is 16-12 ATS with 15 unders and 13 overs.
- At home, Los Angeles is 16-12 ATS with 15 overs and 13 unders.
- Los Angeles is 11-3 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Dallas is 13-10.
- When scoring more than 100 points, the Mavericks are 12-18 and the Lakers are 20-21.
- The Mavericks rank sixth in blocks allowed per game (4.5) while the Lakers rank 28th (5.7).
- Los Angeles ranks first in points in the paint per game (53.5) while Dallas ranks 29th (38.5).
- The Mavericks rank first in points off turnovers allowed per game (13.9) while the Lakers rank 29th (19.1).
- The Lakers average 23.5 assists per game, which ranks ninth in the NBA. The Mavericks rank 12th in assists allowed per game (22.9).
- Los Angeles ranks second in second chance points per game (14.6) while Dallas ranks 29th (10.3).
Bettings Trends:
- Los Angeles is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Dallas is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Lakers have outscored opponents by an average of 1.4 points in their last five games. For the season, Los Angeles has been defeated by an average of 2.9 points.
- During their last five games, the Mavericks have scored an average of 108.0 points per game (5.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 113.2 points per game (8.8 above their season average).
