Dallas Mavericks vs Los Angeles Lakers Picks and Predictions January 7th 2025

Dallas Mavericks vs Los Angeles Lakers January 7th 2025

Tonight, the 6th ranked Mavericks (20-16) will host the 5th ranked Lakers(20-15) in a Western Conference matchup. The Lakers are currently favored by 6.5 points and have a moneyline of -252.

This game will tip-off at 7:30 ET and can be seen on TNT. The over/under line for this game is currently set at 219.5 points.

Lakers vs. Mavericks Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks
• Where: Dallas at American Airlines Center
• Date: Tuesday, January 7th
• Betting Odds LAL -6.5, LAL -252 | DAL +210 O/U 219.5

The Lakers Can Win If…

The Lakers fell to 20-15 on the season after a 119-115 road loss to the Rockets on Sunday. L.A. entered the game as +4.5 point underdogs and covered the spread with the four-point loss. The total score of 234 points exceeded the O/U line of 217.5 by 16.5 points.

Houston jumped out to a big lead early, going on an 11-0 run to extend the score from 33-22 to 44-22. The Lakers responded with a strong 3rd quarter, outscoring the Rockets 40-24, but Houston edged them out 28-26 in the 4th to seal the win.

Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 30 points and 13 rebounds in their 119-115 loss to the Rockets, scoring 11 points in both the 3rd and 4th quarters. LeBron James and Austin Reaves each added 21 points, with Reaves also dishing out 10 assists. James did most of his damage in the 3rd, scoring 14 points in the quarter.

The Lakers hit 16 threes at a 44.4% clip, with LeBron connecting on 4 threes at 57.1%. Davis and Reaves each hit 3 threes, shooting 50% from beyond the arc. Overall, the Lakers shot 48.7% from the field.

The Lakers struggled defensively in the 1st and 2nd quarters, allowing 36 and 31 points, respectively, but tightened up in the 3rd, giving up just 24 points. Overall, they allowed 119 points on 47% shooting from the field in their loss to the Rockets.

From beyond the arc, the Lakers gave up 14 threes on 35% shooting. They sent the Rockets to the line 19 times, where Houston hit 11 free throws. The Lakers recorded 4 steals and 5 blocks but allowed 18 offensive rebounds.

• When looking at their past three road matchups, Los Angeles has an ATS record of 3-0 while averaging 111 per game. The team went 2-1 overall in these games.
• As the betting favorite, the Lakers have an ATS record of 3-2 in their last five games. In these matchups their, straight up record was 4-1.
• Over their last three games, the Lakers have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 3-0 vs. the spread.

The Mavericks Can Win If…

The Mavericks fell to 20-16 on the season after a 119-104 road loss to the Grizzlies on Monday. Dallas entered the game as +4.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The combined score of 223 points was under the O/U line of 232.5.

Dallas started strong, leading 36-26 after the 1st quarter, but the Grizzlies went on a 12-0 run, turning a 48-40 deficit into a 52-48 lead. Memphis outscored Dallas 30-19 in the 2nd quarter and continued to pull away in the 3rd and 4th quarters, outscoring the Mavericks 31-25 and 32-24, respectively.

In their 119-104 loss to the Grizzlies, the Mavericks shot just 40.8% from the field, making 13 threes at a 36.1% clip. P.J. Washington led Dallas with 17 points, despite shooting 31.8% and hitting only 2 threes at 25%.

Naji Marshall added 16 points, while Klay Thompson and Jaden Hardy each contributed 15. Thompson scored 8 points in the 4th quarter, while Hardy added 6 of his 9 3rd-quarter points in the final frame.

Defensively, the Mavericks gave up 119 points to the Grizzlies, allowing 26 points in the 1st quarter, 30 in the 2nd, 31 in the 3rd, and 32 in the 4th. Dallas held Memphis to 45% shooting overall and 34% from three-point range, with the Grizzlies making 12 threes.

Dallas sent Memphis to the line 35 times, where they made 27 free throws. The Mavericks grabbed 37 defensive rebounds but allowed 13 offensive boards. They also recorded 7 steals and 8 blocks.

• When looking at their past five home matchups, Dallas has an ATS record of 1-4 while averaging 104 per game. The team went 1-4 overall in these games.
• Going back to their previous ten games as the underdog, Dallas has an ATS mark of 4-6 while going 4-6 straight up.
• In their last five games, the Mavericks have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 2-3 vs. the spread.

The Lean

Our bet is on the Lakers for a win, and we project the score to be 126-87. Additionally, we expect them to cover the spread, so our recommendation is to wager on the Lakers with the spread at -6.5.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 219.5 and given that our model is projecting 213 points between the teams, we like the under.

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Injury-Riddled Dallas Mavericks Look to Stop Losing Streak Against Los Angeles Lakers

The Dallas Mavericks, reeling from their longest losing streak in four seasons, are set to host the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday in the second night of a back-to-back matchup. With injuries to key players piling up, the Mavericks face a tough test as they aim to avoid their worst stretch since a six-game skid in early 2021.

Mavericks’ Struggles Deepen Amid Star Player Injuries

The Mavericks are 1-5 since losing their superstar Luka Dončić to a left calf strain on Christmas Day. Dončić, who leads the team in points (28.1), rebounds (8.3), and assists (7.8) per game, remains sidelined and won’t be re-evaluated until the end of January.

Adding to their woes, the team announced before Monday’s 119-104 road loss to the Memphis Grizzlies that Kyrie Irving will miss at least a week due to a bulging disk in his back. Irving is the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 24.3 points and 4.9 assists per game.

The injury list grew further during the Memphis game as center Daniel Gafford, a key contributor with 11.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, left after just eight minutes due to a sprained left ankle. Head coach Jason Kidd confirmed that Gafford is expected to miss time.

Next-Man-Up Mentality for the Short-Handed Mavericks

Without their two primary stars, the Mavericks are leaning heavily on role players like Klay Thompson (14.2 points per game) and P.J. Washington (12.8 points per game). Both players will need to step up to keep the team competitive during this challenging period.

“It feels like we’re losing a guy each day, so it’s a next-man-up mentality,” Kidd said. “We can’t replace Luka or Kyrie, but we need everyone in uniform to contribute. It’s going to take a team effort.”

P.J. Washington led the team with 17 points against Memphis, while Naji Marshall and Klay Thompson added 16 and 15 points, respectively. However, their combined effort wasn’t enough to overcome the Grizzlies.

Lakers Enter as Favorites Despite Recent Loss

The Los Angeles Lakers arrive in Dallas following a narrow 119-115 loss to the Houston Rockets on Sunday. The Lakers trailed by as many as 22 points early on but rallied to outscore Houston 66-52 in the second half, showing resilience despite falling short.

Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 30 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks, continuing his dominant season. Davis is averaging 26.0 points and 11.8 rebounds per game, ranking third in the NBA with 2.2 blocks per contest. LeBron James added 24 points, while Austin Reaves chipped in with 18.4 points per game this season.

Head coach JJ Redick praised his team’s fighting spirit, saying, “I told the group I’m proud of the toughness they showed to get back into the game. That’s been indicative of our mindset all season.”

Historical Context and Key Matchup Insights

Dallas has had recent success against the Lakers, winning seven of nine meetings since March 2022. However, with a depleted roster, replicating that success will be an uphill battle. Tuesday’s game marks the first meeting between the two teams this season. They’ll face each other again on February 25 in Los Angeles and April 9 in Dallas.

For the Lakers, this game presents an opportunity to take advantage of a Mavericks team lacking depth. Dallas, on the other hand, must find ways to slow down Anthony Davis and LeBron James, who lead a relatively healthy Lakers squad.

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What to Watch For

1. Mavericks’ Secondary Scorers:
   Can players like Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, and Naji Marshall step up to fill the void left by Dončić and Irving?
2. Anthony Davis’ Dominance:
   Will the Mavericks’ defense have an answer for Davis, who has been on a tear this season?
3. Team Effort vs. Star Power:
   The Mavericks’ “next-man-up” approach will be put to the test against the Lakers’ star-driven roster.
4. Key Matchup History:
   Dallas has a strong record against the Lakers in recent years, but will injuries erode their advantage?

Predictions and Outlook

The Mavericks are facing overwhelming odds without their stars, while the Lakers have been surging despite their recent loss to Houston. If Dallas hopes to halt its losing streak, they’ll need standout performances from their remaining core and a collective defensive effort.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles will likely focus on exploiting mismatches and maintaining consistent offensive pressure. The Lakers have the edge and are favored to emerge victorious, but the Mavericks’ resilience could make it a closer contest than expected.

Conclusion

Tuesday’s game presents a clash of two teams in vastly different situations. The injury-riddled Mavericks are desperate to stop their slide, while the Lakers look to solidify their form and build momentum. With stars sidelined and role players stepping into the spotlight, this matchup is a crucial test for Dallas’ depth and Los Angeles’ consistency.

Will the Mavericks rise to the challenge, or will the Lakers extend their misery? Basketball fans will be watching closely.