Lakers vs Mavericks Predictions & Odds on Christmas Day
- Dallas is laying 8 points to LA in the Lakers vs Mavericks odds on Christmas Day
- LA has the most wins of any NBA franchise on Christmas Day with 24
- Check out the Lakers vs Mavericks odds, injury news and predictions below
For the 75th straight year, there will be NBA games on Christmas. Christmas Day basketball has become a holiday tradition as common as opening presents, and Sunday’s slate features five fantastic games.
The second contest pits the Lakers (13-18, 5-11 away) against the Mavericks (16-16, 12-5 home) and features two of the sport’s biggest stars in LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
This marks LeBron’s record-breaking 17th Christmas Day appearance, which will top the current mark shared by him and the late Kobe Bryant.
Online sportsbooks, however, are not expecting a Merry Christmas for the King. LA is currently sizeable underdogs on the road, according to the NBA odds.
Lakers vs Mavericks Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| LA Lakers | +8 (-110) | +250 | O 225.5 (-110) |
| Dallas Mavericks | -8 (-110) | -310 | U 225.5 (-110) |
Odds as of December 23 at FanDuel. Claim the FanDuel Sportsbook promo code to bet on the Lakers vs Mavericks game.
The Mavericks are currently 8-point home favorites, in a contest with a 225-point total. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 pm ET at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, a building where the Mavs have performed very well at all season.
Dallas Mavericks Betting Analysis
Dallas is 12-5 on their home floor so far, and boasts significant home/road splits. At American Airlines Arena, they average 115.9 points per 100 possessions, while yielding only 109. That works out to a 6.8 NET rating, which would lead all NBA teams. Unfortunately, they also have to play on the road.
Their NET rating as visitors is -4.5, as they average 4.5 fewer points per 100 possessions, while surrendering 6.8 more points. Sunday will mark their second-ever Christmas Day home game, and the first since 2011.
Doncic is in the midst of another fantastic season, and is a top-three NBA MVP odds candidate. He enters play averaging 32.2 points per game, the second-highest mark in the NBA. His current scoring pace would dwarf his career-high, while he’s also averaging 9 assists and 8 boards per contest. The problem for Dallas, has been secondary scoring.
Left is Michael Jordan. Right is Luka Doncic. Both in their 5th season.
32.5 PPG 32.3 PPG
8.0 RPG 8.7 RPG
8.0 APG 8.3 APG pic.twitter.com/neBFovnDQ1— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 22, 2022
No other Maverick is averaging more than 17 points, while only four Dallas regulars including Doncic average in double-figures. Fortunately for them, the Lakers defense is below average, and they’ll be missing their primary rim protector.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Analysis
That of course would be Anthony Davis, who let’s face it is always hurt. AD’s latest injury is a foot issue that’s expected to sideline him for a month. That’s unfortunate for LA, because Davis was balling. He leads the Lakers in scoring, rebounding and blocks per game.
LA has not performed well without him this season, losing four of the six contests he’s missed. In the past two games he’s sat entering Friday, the Lakers had been outscored by 38 points.
AD’s absence will put even more pressure on James, who in year 20 is still averaging 27 points per outing. LeBron is currently dealing a foot injury as well, but is expected to play. The King leads all NBA players in Christmas Day scoring with 422 points, while LA will have a chance to extend their record for most Christmas Day wins to 25.
LEBRON JAMES OH MY GOD!!!!!!! 😳😳 pic.twitter.com/EqUW4dpT2A
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) December 17, 2022
Much like Dallas, the Lakers also struggle badly on the road. LA has a -6.7 NET rating as visitors this season, averaging 4 fewer points per 100 possessions than at home, while yielding 6.5 more points.
Lakers vs Mavericks Prediction
LA and Dallas are two of the three worst teams against the spread. Laying 8 points with the Mavs is an uneasy feeling, but so too is trusting the Lakers without Davis. Which brings us to the total.
Both of these teams have been cashing over tickets at some of the league’s highest rates. Los Angeles is 18-13-1 to the over, second only to Golden State. Nine of their past 12 games have exceeded the total, including five of six without AD.
NBA Top Over Teams
| Team | Over Record | Over % |
|---|---|---|
| Golden State Warriors | 20-12-1 | 62.5% |
| LA Lakers | 18-13-1 | 58.1% |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 18-13-0 | 58.1% |
| Detroit Pistons | 19-14-1 | 57.6% |
| Dallas Mavericks | 18-14-0 | 56.3% |
Not to be outdone, Dallas is 18-14 to the over, with 10 of their 17 home games eclipsing the total. The Lakers last two Christmas Day games averaged 245 points apiece, which includes their 2020 showdown with Dallas that produced 253 points.
Expect another high-scoring game between these Western Conference foes, as LeBron and Luka put on a memorable show.
Pick: Over 225.5 (-110)
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As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
