The Los Angeles Lakers (13-19, 5th Pacific) visit the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on Christmas afternoon to play the Dallas Mavericks (17-16, 3rd Southwest). Los Angeles has lost each of its last three following a 134-130 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night. During their current three-game losing streak, the Lakers have averaged 132.7 points per game. Dallas defeated the Houston Rockets 112-106 in their second straight game on Friday night, with Luka Doncic scoring 50 points for the win. Anthony Davis, Cole Swider and Juan Toscano-Anderson are on the road for LA. Dallas is without Josh Green and Maxi Kleber while Jaden Hardy, Reggie Bullock and Dorian Finney-Smith are in doubt
Lakers need help on defense
Los Angeles are without their top rim protector, Anthony Davis, and his absence is evident on the court as the Lakers have averaged 132.7 points per game in their last three games, resulting in three losses. On the season, LA allows an average of 117.8 points per game, which equates to 26th place. Opponents overall shoot 47.0% against the Lakers and 34.8% behind the three-point line. Los Angeles allows an average of 46.3 rebounds per game, which ranks 29th in the NBA, and the Lakers average 44.8 boards per game. With lead rebounder Davis out injured, the active lead rebounder is LeBron James, averaging 8.4 boards per contest. Davis averages a team 2.1 blocked shots per game, but without him on the field, the leader is James, averaging just 0.7 shots per fight. Davis leads the Lakers in steals, but James is second with a 1.2 per game average.
Defense ➡️ Attack pic.twitter.com/FqwVJceOiN
– Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 24, 2022
Los Angeles ranks sixth in the NBA with an average of 115.7 points per game. The Lakers shoot 47.8% overall, which ranks 8th, and 33.6% behind the line, which ranks 26th. Los Angeles hurts on offense without Davis as the big man is the top scorer averaging 27.4 points per game. James is the second-best scorer averaging 27.1 points per game, and five other Lakers players are averaging double-digit points. Russell Westbrook averages a team 7.6 assists per game. Los Angeles averages 14.2 turnovers and has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.7.
Dallas defense continues to change the shine
The Dallas Mavericks are sixth in the NBA with 109.4 points per game. Opponents shoot 48.0% overall and 35.9% from behind the three-point line. Dallas is averaging 43.2 rebounds per game, which is 10th in the NBA, and the Mavericks are averaging just 38.8 rebounds per game. The leading rebounder is Luka Doncic with an average of 8.3 boards per game. Doncic leads with an average of 1.7 steals per contest, while Christian Wood is the swat leader with an average of 0.82 blocked shots per game.
Say it with us: M 👏 V 👏 P@luka7doncic | #MFFL pic.twitter.com/ICl5O78dsy
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) December 24, 2022
Dallas is under-scoring in 23rd place, averaging 111.0 points per game. The Mavericks have a field goal shooting percentage of 46.5%, which ranks 20th, and a 3-point shooting percentage of 35.9%, which ranks 14th. Doncic is Dallas’ top scorer, averaging 32.8 points per game. Doncic shoots 49.7% overall and 35.2% from behind the line. Wood is the second-best scorer, averaging 16.9 points per game, while Spencer Dinwiddie is third, averaging 16.5 points per game. Doncic leads in assists, averaging 8.7 courts per contest.
best bets
Full Game Side Bet
Valuation:
Los Angeles is struggling without Anthony Davis on the court. The Lakers have averaged 132.7 points per game in their last three games, resulting in three straight losses. Los Angeles have failed to cover the span in five of their last six away games and in each of their last 4 overall. Struggling away against an opponent with a record win at home, LA cannot cover the last five spreads in this scenario. Head-to-head, the Lakers have failed to cover the span in each of the last four games played in Dallas and in each of the five games played overall between the two. Los Angeles ranks 26th in points allowed at 117.8 points per game, and that tally continues to rise with Davis injured. Davis leads LA in scores, rebounds, steals and block shots.
Take the Mavs-8
Prediction: Dallas Mavericks -8
Before you grab the eggnog and sit down to watch the NBA Christmas Marathon, be sure to load up on Mason Folz’s NBA Christmas Tips. He is currently 20-9 years old and has one, two or three game packs available for you! CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.
Overall selection for the entire game
Valuation:
The Lakers can’t stop anyone. Los Angeles have averaged 132.6 points per game in their last three games, all of which have been completed. The Lakers gave up 134 points to Charlotte, 134 points to Sacramento, and 130 points to Phoenix in each of those three games. The total ended in each of the last five games Los Angeles has played away and seven of the last nine games overall. The total has come to an end in five of the last seven games Dallas has played at home against the team that has a losing record away from home.
accept that
Forecast: ABOVE 226.5
Written by Kevin Vallego, “Kevin V.”
Kevin grew up in a purely sports household. Every afternoon he watched every sport that was on TV. After years of watching sports he was introduced to the world of betting and soon stats, trends and odds became Kevin’s best friends. Now almost 2 decades later his life revolves around sports, writing about it and betting on it. We’re excited to have Kevin on our Winners & Whiners & StatSalt teams, and you should be happy that we have him too.