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Dallas Mavericks vs Los Angeles Lakers April 9th 2025
At 7:30 ET, the Los Angeles Lakers (-176) will travel to Dallas to take on the Mavericks (+147). The over/under line for the game is currently sitting at 227.
ESPN will have the TV coverage for this Western Conference matchup. The Lakers are currently favored by 4 points and are 48-31 on the season. The Mavericks, who are 10th in the West, have dropped two straight and are 38-41 overall.
Lakers vs. Mavericks Key Information
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks
- Where: Dallas at American Airlines Center
- Date: Wednesday, April 9th
- Betting Odds LAL -4, LAL -176 | DAL +147 O/U 227
The Lakers Can Win If…
The Lakers fell to 48-31 on the season after a 136-120 road loss to the Thunder on Tuesday. Los Angeles entered the game as +9.5 point underdogs but failed to cover the spread, losing by 16. The total score of 256 points exceeded the pre-game O/U line of 230 by 26 points.
After a 43-43 tie in the 1st quarter, the Thunder went on a 10-0 run, extending their lead from 54-52 to 64-52. The Lakers battled back in the 3rd quarter, outscoring the Thunder 26-17, but Oklahoma City dominated the 4th, outscoring Los Angeles 39-22 to seal the win.
In the Lakers’ 136-120 loss to the Thunder, LeBron James led the team with 28 points, while Austin Reaves added 24 and Luka Dončić contributed 23. Reaves was particularly effective in the 1st quarter, scoring 15 points, while Dončić added 11 in the opening period.
The Lakers hit 18 threes, shooting 45% from beyond the arc, though their overall field goal percentage was 46.2%. LeBron connected on 3 threes at a 50% rate, and Reaves made 4, shooting 57.1% from deep.
The Lakers struggled defensively against the Thunder, giving up 136 points on 50% shooting. They allowed 43 points in the 1st quarter and 39 in the 4th, despite a strong 3rd quarter where they held the Thunder to just 17 points.
From beyond the arc, the Thunder hit 18 threes at a 48% clip. The Lakers sent the Thunder to the line 20 times, where they made 14 free throws. Defensively, the Lakers recorded 2 steals and 6 blocks.
- When looking at their past three road matchups, Los Angeles has an ATS record of 2-1 while averaging 126 per game. The team went 2-1 overall in these games.
- Going back to their last ten games as the favorite, the Lakers have a straight up record of 6-4. But, their mark vs the spread was just 5-5.
- Over their last three games, the Lakers have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.
The Mavericks Can Win If…
The Mavericks fell to 38-41 on the season after a 135-104 road loss to the Clippers on Saturday. Dallas entered the game as +9.5 point underdogs but failed to cover the spread, losing by 31 points. The total score of 239 points exceeded the O/U line of 221.5 by 17.5 points.
A 12-0 run by the Clippers early in the game set the tone, and while Dallas won the 2nd quarter 31-28, they couldn’t maintain momentum. The Clippers pulled away in the 3rd quarter, outscoring the Mavericks 44-30, and Dallas couldn’t mount a comeback in the 4th, where they were outscored 30-22.
In their 135-104 loss to the Clippers, the Mavericks struggled offensively, shooting just 43.6% from the field and hitting only 7 threes at a 25.9% clip. Anthony Davis led the way with 27 points and 9 rebounds, while Kai Jones added 18 points on perfect shooting.
Klay Thompson contributed 14 points, knocking down 4 threes at 50% efficiency. Davis scored 11 of his points in the 1st quarter, while Jones added 6 in the 4th.
The Mavericks struggled defensively on Saturday, giving up 135 points to the Clippers. Their toughest stretch came in the 3rd quarter, where they allowed 44 points. Dallas couldn’t slow down the Clippers, who shot 56% from the field.
Dallas did limit the Clippers’ three-point shooting, allowing 11 threes on 39% shooting. The Mavericks sent the Clippers to the line 20 times, where they made 16 free throws. Defensively, Dallas recorded 5 steals and 8 blocks.
- Through their last ten home contests, the Mavericks offense has averaged 112 points per game while allowing an average of 121. Dallas posted an overall record of 4-6 while going 5-5 ATS.
- The last three games that Dallas was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 1-2 while going 1-2 straight up.
- In their last three games, the Mavericks have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 1-2 vs. the spread.
The Lean
As the underdogs with a spread of +4, we recommend going with the Mavericks on the point spread. We not only see them covering the spread but also have a strong likelihood of winning this one outright, especially if you’re seeking a higher payout on the moneyline.
As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 227, and our model projects the Lakers and Mavericks to reach a combined total of 271 points. Our bet is on taking the over.
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Blockbuster Trade Comes Full Circle in High-Stakes Matchup
The basketball world will have its eyes on Dallas Wednesday night as Luka Doncic returns for the first time since the blockbuster Feb. 2 trade sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers. On the flip side, Anthony Davis will make his Dallas Mavericks debut against his former team after missing the first matchup due to injury.
Though Mavs head coach Jason Kidd tried to downplay it at first—”Just another home game,” he said—it’s clear this game will have playoff energy.
“It should be electric,” Kidd added. “The fans will be excited to see Luka.”
What’s at Stake: Play-In Push and Western Conference Standing
Dallas (38-41), last season’s Western Conference champs, are clinging to the 10th seed and need a win to secure a spot in the play-in tournament. They’re also coming off back-to-back blowout losses to the LA Clippers.
Meanwhile, the Lakers (48-31) sit third in the West and need two wins in their final three games to lock in that top-three spot.
Doncic, who was ejected from Tuesday’s game against OKC after receiving two technical fouls, is still expected to start.
Doncic Returns: A Flood of Emotions
Luka’s return isn’t just another game—it’s a homecoming that comes with six seasons of highlights, heartbreaks, and fan loyalty.
“Of course, there’s going to be a lot of emotion for me,” Doncic said.
“I’m excited to be back. I don’t know what I’ll feel, but it’s going to be emotional for sure.”
Doncic is averaging 27.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game since joining LA. He also logged his first triple-double in purple and gold the last time these two teams met on Feb. 25, when the Lakers won 107-99.
LeBron James knows the feeling of returning to a former team and believes Doncic will be met with nothing but love.
“He’ll get a standing ovation,” James said.
“A lot of emotions will go through Luka… if we do our job on the floor, that’ll help him tremendously.”
Anthony Davis Gears Up for His Own Reunion
Davis has had a bumpy start in Dallas, playing just seven games due to injuries. Still, the Mavs are 5-2 with him in the lineup, and he’s averaging 20.6 points per game.
He kept it short when asked about the reunion:
“No emotions,” Davis said with a smirk.
Last time the teams met, Davis was on the sideline, but the Lakers honored him with a tribute video and standing ovations. Now, he’s listed as probable and ready to contribute in this marquee matchup.
The Road Ahead: Playoff Dreams and Play-In Drama
- The Lakers are pushing to lock the No. 3 seed, which would give them a favorable first-round matchup.
- The Mavericks are fighting just to stay alive in the play-in tournament.
- A win for Dallas would seal their place. A loss? It could open the door for teams like the Rockets or Warriors to leapfrog them.
