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The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers will lock horns in Friday's marquee NBA Cup game at the Crypto.com Arena. It's a contest many would have circled on their calendars, particularly headliners Anthony Davis and Luka Doncic, who swapped teams in a shocking trade nine months ago.
After missing 14 games with a calf injury, Davis is in contention to return against his former team on his old stomping ground, where he helped the franchise win its record 17th title five years ago.
Meanwhile, Doncic faces his former team for the third time since his league-altering move to LA. He's not let them off easy in the previous two meetings despite the emotions running high, so fans will be eager to see some more fireworks.
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Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers Prediction, Preview, Odds, Betting Tips and More
Money line: Mavericks +330, Lakers -429
Spread: Mavericks +9.5 (-105), Lakers -9.5 (-115)
Total over/under (o/u): Mavericks o232.5 (-110), Lakers u232.5 (-110)
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers Preview
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks hoped to be among the contenders 20 games into the season, but are now reeling near the lottery with a 4-15 record. Kyrie Irving has yet to play this season as he recovers from ACL surgery, while Anthony Davis has missed over 70% of the team's games.
No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg has been one of the bright spots, but he's taken time to settle in as a pro after questionable tactics from Jason Kidd's staff early in the year. Meanwhile, D'Angelo Russell, Klay Thompson and Dereck Lively II have significantly underperformed, putting the Mavericks in a bigger hole than expected.
The Mavericks have the league's worst offense with an efficiency of 105.0, according to NBA.com. They are scoring 109.5 points per game, only better than the 3-14 Brooklyn Nets.
Nevertheless, through all its shortcomings, Dallas has lived up to its hype as one of the best defenses. The Mavericks boast the third-highest defensive rating at 110.3 despite getting only five games from perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate Anthony Davis and seven from former first-round pick Dereck Lively II. They are, however, the only top-17 team on defense with a losing record.
Their task won't get any easier, as LA's offense has been nuclear this year, with elite efficiency splits, especially inside the arc, where Dallas' defense has struggled, allowing 55.5 ppg in the paint.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are proving their doubters wrong with each game. After losing two of their first four, they have won 11 of their next 13 and are 13-4 ahead of Friday's contest.
Until LeBron James' return on Nov. 18, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves missed a combined seven games. Several other role players also missed brief stretches. It didn't matter as the Lakers dug deep and grinded out results in improbable situations.
Things have smoothed out since, with LA in a better spot healthwise. For the season, the Lakers rank ninth offensively with a 117.1 efficiency, despite being one of the least threatening teams from 3-point range.
They are making a league-worst 11.0 shots from beyond the arc per contest at a 32.5% clip, ranking 24th. Nevertheless, the Lakers are shooting a historic 62.1% of their 2s, 3.2% above the record set by the Indiana Pacers in the 2023-24 season. LA also attempts 28.8 free throws per game, second-highest this year.
Since LeBron James' return, the Lakers have posted a 125.2 offensive rating (third) and are shooting 34.1% from the 3-point line. Both are marginal improvements over their season numbers. The transition opportunities and pace have been better, too.
Defensive concerns continue to plague the Lakers, though. They have a 114.0 rating, ranking 16th. LA has the third-worst defensive field goal efficiency (70.0). While schematically, the team manages to keep its opponents outside the paint and midrange area, guarding the 3-point line has been an issue.
The Lakers lack speed across most of their lineups. While the Mavericks are struggling from beyond the arc (11.3 3-pointers made on 31.8% efficiency), LA can't let Dallas's shooters catch a rhythm, as it could become a closer game than expected.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers Starting 5s
Dallas Mavericks
PG - RJ Nembhard, SG - Max Christie, SF - Cooper Flagg, PF - P.J. Washington, C - Anthony Davis
Los Angeles Lakers
PG - Luka Doncic, SG - Austin Reaves, SF - Rui Hachimura, PF - LeBron James, C - Deandre Ayton
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Tips
Luka Doncic is favored to score under 33.5 ppg.
Anthony Davis is favored to record under 9.5 rebounds.
LeBron James is favored to record fewer than 6.5 assists.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers Prediction
The Los Angeles Lakers are overwhelming favorites to win. The oddsmakers have them as nine-point favorites. The gap between them and the Dallas Mavericks this season is massive and it's unlikely to be close unless Anthony Davis and Co. produce a miraculous performance.
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