The Los Angeles Lakers (0-1) host the Dallas Mavericks (0-1) at the Staples Center in the primetime game of the NBA Christmas slate at 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Mavericks-Lakers NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Mavericks at Lakers: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 6:58 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Mavericks +195 (bet $100 to win $195) | Lakers -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Mavericks +6.5 (-120) | Lakers +6.5 (+100)
- Over/Under: 227.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Mavericks at Lakers: Key Injuries
Mavericks
- PF Kristaps Porzingis (knee) out
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Mavericks at Lakers: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Lakers 116, Mavericks 113
Money line (ML)
PASS with a slight lean toward the Mavericks (+195) because I usually like to sprinkle on underdogs’ money lines when taking them plus the points. On the other hand, it’s hard to imagine the Lakers falling to 0-2, especially as reigning champions playing on the NBA’s biggest night.
Against the spread (ATS)
The Lakers rallied back from a 22-point first-quarter deficit to head into halftime only down two, but it wasn’t enough as the Lake Show lost 116-109 to the Los Angeles Clippers Tuesday. It was a lackluster performance from the Lakers’ two-headed monster— SF LeBron James and PF Anthony Davis—who combined for a modest 40 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists.
Dallas struggled to hit open jumpers—connecting on just 24.3% on 3-pointers—and were outrebounded by 11 boards in a 106-102 loss to the Phoenix Suns as a 1-point underdog Wednesday. PG Luka Doncic put up solid numbers (32 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists) but also shot poorly from deep and failed to make a 3.
The first Mavericks-Lakers game last season was one of the best regular-season games of 2019-2020 in which Los Angeles won 119-110 in overtime as a 1-point road dog. The Lakers were 3-1 straight-up and ATS vs. the Mavericks last season.
I don’t put a lot of stock into the Mavericks’ shooting trouble vs. the Suns because they got wide-open looks and just bricked them. Furthermore, the Clippers hit 14 3-pointers opening night vs. the Lakers and Los Angeles’ perimeter defense could take a step back, at least early on, this season.
Above-average defensive guards Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley and Danny Green are no longer with the Lakers. Also, we might not see Los Angeles’ championship form until 2021, and if there is an early-season lull due to a short turnaround for the Lakers, then don’t we like Dallas more?
GIMME MAVERICKS +6.5 (-120) for 1 unit.
Over/Under (O/U)
Dallas had the highest percentage of Overs last season (49-32 O/U) and the Mavericks should executive offensively much better in their second game against a Lakers team that could take a step back defensively.
I like both teams to bounce back from a little ring rust and poor first game performances. I’d only BET OVER 227.5 (-110) for a half-unit because I prefer the sides over totals.
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Also see
- James reflects on ring night without Kobe there (LeBron Wire)
- Western Conference rankings (Hoops Hype)
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