Los Angeles Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks Betting Pick & Prediction 1/7/25
At 7:30 ET, the Los Angeles Lakers (-252) will travel to take on the Dallas Mavericks (+210) at the American Airlines Center. The Lakers are favored by 6.5 points, and the over/under line is set at 219.5 points.
This Western Conference matchup will be televised on TNT. The Lakers are currently 5th in the West with a record of 20-15, while the Mavericks are 6th in the conference at 20-16. Dallas has lost five straight games.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS VS DALLAS MAVERICKS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Los Angeles Lakers -6.5
This game will be played at American Airlines Center at 7:30 ET on Tuesday, January 7th.
WHY BET THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 126-87 in favor of the Lakers.
- Our projections have Anthony Davis finishing with 25 points, 13 rebounds and 3 assists.
- From the field, we have the Lakers finishing with a field goal percentage of 49.0% and knocking down 13 threes.
Taking a Look at the Lakers Chances in Dallas
The Lakers fell to 20-15 on the season after a 119-115 loss to the Rockets on Sunday. Los Angeles entered the game as +4.5 point underdogs and managed to cover the spread. 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 in the 3rd quarter, outscoring the Rockets 40-24, but couldn’t complete the comeback, as they were edged 28-26 in the 4th quarter.
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 LeBron scoring 14 in the 3rd, while Reaves contributed 7 points in both the 2nd and 3rd quarters.
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 deep, and the team finished with an overall field goal percentage of 48.7%.
The Lakers’ defense struggled early, giving up 67 points in the 1st and 2nd quarters, but they tightened up in the 3rd, allowing just 24 points. Overall, they gave up 119 points on 47% shooting from the Rockets.
From beyond the arc, the Lakers allowed 14 threes on 35% shooting. They sent the Rockets to the line 19 times, where Houston made 11 free throws. The Lakers also gave up 18 offensive rebounds and finished with 4 steals and 5 blocks.
Will the Mavericks Win at American Airlines Center?
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 total score of 223 points fell short of the 232.5 O/U line.
Dallas started strong, leading 36-26 after the 1st quarter, but a 12-0 run by Memphis shifted the momentum. The Grizzlies outscored the Mavericks 30-19 in the 2nd quarter and continued to pull away, winning the 3rd and 4th quarters 31-25 and 32-24, respectively.
In their 119-104 loss to the Grizzlies, the Mavericks shot just 40.8% from the field, with their three-point shooting at 36.1%, hitting 13 threes overall. P.J. Washington led the team with 17 points, despite shooting 31.8% from the floor and 25% from beyond the arc.
Naji Marshall added 16 points, while Klay Thompson and Jaden Hardy each contributed 15, with Thompson hitting 3 threes at 37.5%. Washington scored 9 points in the 1st quarter, and Hardy added 9 in the 3rd, with both players chipping in 6 points in the final period.
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 and 34% from beyond the arc, with the Grizzlies hitting 12 threes.
The Grizzlies went to the line 35 times, making 27 free throws. The Mavericks grabbed 37 defensive rebounds but allowed 13 offensive boards. They also recorded 7 steals and 8 blocks.