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Mavericks vs Lakers Props – Best Player Prop Bets for Christmas Day Game

Quinn Allen

by Quinn Allen in NBA Basketball

Updated Dec 24, 2020 · 11:28 AM PST

LeBron celebrates
December 13, 2020, Los Angeles, California, USA: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during their preseason NBA game with the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday December 13, 2020 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Lakers defeat Clippers, 131-106. (Photo by PI/Zuma Press/Icon Sportswire)
  • Christmas Day brings an intriguing matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers
  • It will be the star power of LeBron James and Anthony Davis facing off against Slovenian sensation Luka Doncic
  • Which player props offer the best betting value? Find out below

December 25th is always a fun-filled day in the NBA with numerous exciting games on the schedule. In what should be one of the best contests of Christmas Day, the Dallas Mavericks will visit Staples Center to take on the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers.

For LA, it’s always the LeBron James and Anthony Davis show. The likes of Dennis Schroder and Montrezl Harrell also compliment the two stars well, but the outcome of games usually comes down to the King and AD.

As for Dallas, Luka Doncic runs the show. With Kristaps Porzingis out until late January, the former Rookie of the Year always has the ball in his hands when the game is on the line. However, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Josh Richardson also offer some value to this team.

Here are the player props for Friday’s much-anticipated contest.

Mavericks vs Lakers Player Props

Player Points Rebounds Assists Three Pointers Made
Luka Doncic (DAL) 30.5 (O -116 | U -104) 9.5 (O -110 | U -110) 8.5 (O -118 | U -104) 2.5 (O -120 | U -106)
Tim Hardaway Jr. (DAL) 15.5 (O -110 | U -110) 3.5 (O -120 | U -102) N/A 2.5 (O -150 | U +118)
Josh Richardson (DAL) 14.5 (O -108 | U -112) 3.5 (O +102 | U -124) N/A 1.5 (O -205 | U +158)
Anthony Davis (LAL) 25.5 (O -112 | U -108) 9.5 (O -128 | U +104) 3.5 (O +130 | U -160) 1.5 (O +148 | U -194)
LeBron James (LAL) 24.5 (O -118 | U -104) 7.5 (O -118 | U -104) 7.5 (O -130 | U +106) 2.5 (O +118 | U -150)
Dennis Schroder (LAL) 15.5 (O -116 | U -106) 3.5 (O -128 | U +104) 4.5 (O -115 | U -105) 1.5 (O -158 | U +124)

 

Odds taken Dec 24 at FanDuel

Doncic Puts on a Scoring Display

Although the Mavs head into this game as 6.5 underdogs, it would be no surprise to see Doncic ball out against the Lakers. Currently, the favorite to win the 2021 MVP award, the Dallas star averaged an impressive 28.8 points per game last season, which landed him sixth in the league.

Although the Mavs lost their season opener to the Phoenix Suns, Doncic dropped 32 while also grabbing eight boards and five assists. In his third season now, we’ve seen the Slovenian star improve each and every year, upping his point total by more than seven points from his rookie to sophomore campaign.

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Doncic has the ability to score from all over the floor, and it doesn’t matter who the opponent is. He can drive to the hoop and use his physicality to finish, or simply pull up and drain a deep three.

That was very clear in the playoffs last season, where he single-handily took the Mavs to six games in the first round against Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers. He posted 31.1 points per contest through six appearances in that series, despite the stiff competition.

Even with LeBron and AD posing a serious threat to Doncic on Christmas Day, I actually like the thought of betting on the over here. His importance to Dallas is at an all-time high especially with Porzingis injured, so expect Doncic to rise to the occasion. He’s the ultimate competitor who always shows out against the best of the best.

  • Pick: Over 30.5 points (-116)

LeBron the Playmaker

LeBron James will go down as one of the greatest players ever and to some, the best. His importance to any team he’s played on is simply unmatched but as James has aged, he’s become a lot more than just a cold-hearted finisher.

In 2019-20, LeBron led the entire NBA in assists with a mind-boggling 10.2 per night – a career-high. The most dimes James dished out previously was 9.1. With Davis an important piece of this star duo in Los Angeles, the King has taken on a bit of a different role with the Lakers.

He doesn’t always take on all the scoring duties now but instead, James has become a phenomenal facilitator.

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James’ ability to drop a dime goes unnoticed at times. He does a wonderful job of drawing defenders in which opens up space for teammates either cutting to the hoop or out on the perimeter for an open look.

Dallas is a team that has improved defensively with the additions of Josh Richardson and James Johnson. But, they don’t necessarily have the size to handle LeBron’s versatile skillset on the floor. With this in mind, I think James will hit the over in assists here after a dismal performance against the Clips in their season opener.

  • Pick: James over 7.5 assists (-130)
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