Mavericks Total Has Gone Over in Three of First Four Games; Will it Continue vs. Lakers?
By Eric Rosales in NBA Basketball
Updated: April 13, 2020 at 3:03 pm EDTPublished:
- Lakers play first game outside of Staples Center this season as they visit the Mavericks
- Dallas and Los Angeles both have identical 3-1 records
- Get the odds, our pick, and all the info you need to bet the game below
It’s a summit of star power at the American Airlines Center, as the surging Los Angeles Lakers (3-1, 0-1 on road) venture out of Staples Center for the first time this season to take on the upstart Dallas Mavericks (3-1, 1-1 at home).
Los Angeles Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | -120 | -1.5 (-110) | Over 216.0 (-110) |
| Dallas Mavericks | +100 | +1.5 (-110) | Under 216.0 (-110) |
*Odds taken October 31
A look at the Lakers vs Mavericks odds shows that Dallas has been a profitable early season wager if you’ve taken the over in their totals, a mark they’ve topped three of four games this season. Let’s find out if that’s the best bet for this contest as well.
Different Sort of Showtime for Lakers
After losing to the “host” Clippers in their season opener 112-101, the Lakers have won three straight games at home and are beginning to put together stretches of play that remind you why they are title contenders.
Check out the top plays from the first week of Lakers' season, presented by @budweiserusa pic.twitter.com/b6vkB0ofGv
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 31, 2019
This is still LeBron James’ team, but the best player in basketball for a decade-plus has ceded much of the heavy lifting to Anthony Davis. The ‘Brow has been a wrecking ball, posting 28.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game this season, punctuated with a 40-point, 20-rebound performance against the Grizzlies – in just three quarters of work.
https://twitter.com/viral_nba/status/1188639731984134144
But the real showtime for the Lakers has been on the other end of the floor. LA is one of just three teams holding opponents to under 100 points a game this season (97.5). They’re also third in field goal percentage D limiting teams to 40.8% shooting, while leading the association in blocks at eight a game.
Defense ➡️ Offense 🔥🔥
— CAN’T BEAT LA (@CantBeatLA_) October 30, 2019
They’ve been especially good at defending the money-ball: teams are shooting 28.8% against them from three-point range (4th in the NBA).
Scoring a healthy 109.3 points a game, the Lakers enjoy the largest scoring margin in the league at +11.8.
Mavericks Paced by Budding Stars
In a crowded Western Conference playoff picture, Luka Doncic and company seem intent on crashing the party.
Doncic has averaged 25.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 6.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals out of the gate, and he padded his NBA clubhouse lead in career triple-doubles before the age of 21, with his ninth career triple-double against the Pelicans in the second game of the season.
OMG
DONCIC #MFFL pic.twitter.com/XPZ7Oabuqp
— NBASpain (@NBAspain) October 27, 2019
More than anything else, he’s already to the go-to option in the crunch, a point-forward orchestrating for the best shot, whether it be for himself or his teammates, who are quietly one of the underrated supporting casts in basketball.
https://twitter.com/bobbykaralla/status/1187920902262013952
He’s also been aided by Kristaps Porzingis, back from an ACL injury that sidelined him last year in New York until the start of this season. So far, so good: he’s putting up 22.3 points, 7.8 boards and 2.5 blocks per game.
Kristaps Porzingis from the logo. I don't know what you're supposed to do with this. pic.twitter.com/xJmgV0hR27
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) October 27, 2019
As a team, Dallas is averaging 114.8 points, eighth best in the NBA. They’re fifth in fewest turnovers, and they’re averaging 31 free throws a game, second only to the Rockets. But despite being one of only five teams averaging over 40 three-point attempts a game, they are shooting at a 31.3% clip, 23rd overall.
What’s the Best Bet?
Los Angeles has a bevy of options to throw at Doncic, so we’re going to see just how good the second-year stud fares and how he decides to shoot or pass against Avery Bradley, Danny Green, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and, at times, James and potentially Davis.
Both teams will be welcoming key parts back to the lineup: LA will get their first look at Kyle Kuzma, who’s been out with a foot injury, while Dallas has big man Dwight Powell back from a hamstring injury.
Kyle Kuzma ( @kylekuzma ) is almost ready to make his return with the @Lakers .. he was playing ones with assistant coach Phil Handy and looked solid. pic.twitter.com/i2zhXEG1lM
— Swish Cultures (@swishcultures_) October 23, 2019
Los Angeles didn’t build their mark on a murderer’s row of teams (wins vs Utah, Charlotte and Memphis), so this will be a good test to see if their defense holds up against one of the better offensive units in the league.
If their defense makes the trip with them, this one should hover in the low 100s.
The pick: under 216.0 (-110)
Sports Writer & Editor
Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgeable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV's Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric's work has appeared in local and national publications alike.
