Lakers vs Mavericks Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Davis Leads Defensive Charge for L.A.

Two teams currently in playoff position in the West clash Tuesday, when the L.A. Lakers visit the Dallas Mavericks. 

L.A. is fresh off the NBA In-Season Tourney title — and though that isn’t an official win on the regular-season slate, they have reeled off four straight Ws. They enter this one as slight two-point favorites in the NBA odds.

Dallas, meanwhile, has beat up on the conference’s dredges to win three straight. They’ll be playing the second night of a back-to-back after thumping Memphis on Monday.

Injuries and fatigue could play a factor in this December 12 matchup. Read below for my free NBA picks.

Lakers vs Mavericks odds

Lakers vs Mavericks predictions

It was the first champagne celebration in the NBA in December, after the Lakers dominated the Indiana Pacers 123-109 to capture the inaugural In-Season Tournament.

Anthony Davis was a beast, piling up 41 points, 20 rebounds, six assists, and five blocks, while LeBron James capped his tourney MVP run with 24 points and 11 boards.

Almost back to full health, L.A. showcased a long and stingy defense, with AD playing the role of eraser at the rim. They held Indiana, the NBA’s most prolific offense, to 36.8% shooting from the field, including a dismal 10-for-41 from distance, a 24.4% clip.

Offensively, the Lakers went full bully-ball, pounding the paint for 86 points, the most any NBA team has scored in that area in a game this season.

The 3-ball was a novelty — they attempted just 13 and hit two, the lowest number of hits that ended up in a win since February 2020.

Dallas, meanwhile, is coming off a 120-113 win over Memphis, completing a stretch where they beat up on Utah, the Grizzlies, and Portland Trail Blazers, who currently hold the 12-14 spots at the bottom of the West. 

The Mavericks averaged 130.7 points per game on this mini-run, but you’ll be surprised to know that, while Utah is a Bottom-6 team in points allowed, both Portland and Memphis are just outside the Top-10 in scoring defense, looking up at the Lakers.

Kyrie Irving’s (foot) on the shelf, and slated to miss Tuesday as well. The list of walking wounded doesn’t stop there, though, with Grant Williams (knee), Derrick Jones Jr (quad) and Tim Hardaway Jr (back) all questionable against L.A.

This is the second meeting between these teams this season, with Dallas gutting out a 104-101 win — the fourth straight game these teams have gone Under. 

I think L.A.’s defense travels to Big D, and while it won’t stop Luka Doncic, it can definitely bring the fifth-best scoring team in the league down from that recent stellar scoring perch.

My best bet: Under 235.5 points (-110 at DraftKings)

Lakers vs Mavericks same-game parlay

Under 235.5 points 

Davis Under 27.5 points

Davis Over 1.5 blocks

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+375 at DraftKings

Let’s round this out with a couple of other picks to complete a same-game parlay, focusing on the Brow.

Davis has a habit of yo-yo play, unable to sustain scoring dominance after a big outing. 

Prior to his 41-point outburst, he was still a defensive wizard in a win over the Pelicans, but finished with just 16 points, to go along with 15 boards, five dimes and two blocks.

Save for a four-game stretch before the NOLA game, where he averaged 28.3 points per contest, he had consecutive 20+ point outings in two of the previous 11 games.

Does the In-Season Tournament hangover exist? For our betting purposes, I don’t think Davis reaches 28 points. Against Dallas this year, he had just 10 points in 36 minutes, after a 26-point effort the night before vs Utah.

However, Davis isn’t a no-show when he isn’t scoring, and that’s why I’m taking the Over on his 1.5 blocks total. AD has had multiple blocks in six of his last eight games, and is averaging 2.7 blocks per game this season.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Lakers vs Mavericks spread and Over/Under analysis

At one point Monday afternoon, the Lakers were 1.5-point underdogs. That’s entirely shifted, with Dallas now as long as 2.5-point dogs.

Dallas has won eight of the last 10 head-to-heads and owns a sparkling 8-1-1 mark against the spread in those games.

The Lakers aren’t a great bet against the spread, going just 11-12-0 ATS this season.

The total has climbed to as high as 236 points, but it hasn’t dipped below the 235-point threshold, with most books splitting the difference at 235.5 points.

The Under has gone 7-3-0 in the last 10 matchups, and Los Angeles’ Under record is 14-9-0. Being one of the top-scoring teams in the league, and bottom half in points allowed, Dallas’ Over record is 15-6-0.

Lakers vs Mavericks betting trend to know

The Mavericks have covered the spread in five of their last six home games against the Lakers. Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Mavericks.

Lakers vs Mavericks game info

Lakers vs Mavericks latest injuries

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