Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers Preview, Prediction, Picks & Odds - 3/1/2022

Time: 10 p.m. ET

Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA

Where to watch: TNT

DraftKings: Mavericks -4.5

BetMGM: Mavericks -4.5

Caesars: Mavericks -4.5

Mavericks: 36-25

Lakers: 27-33

Man, let me tell you. The Dallas Mavericks made me proud on Sunday night.

It's normally the Mavs who are on the receiving end of a blown double-digit lead, as the franchise's history has dictated. It hasn't been a fun ride most times, but Dallas' comeback victory over the Golden State Warriors really sent a message that I think resonated with the rest of the league.

What did we learn in this one? Luka Doncic remains the man, for one thing. Doncic finished with 34 points and 11 rebounds to pace the fourth-quarter comeback that included a 22-1 run in the final frame. Spencer Dinwiddie had 10 of his 24 points in the final quarter to give Dallas perhaps its best win of the season.

And there have been a lot of great wins for this crazy second-half run that the Mavericks have been on. Yet somehow, things continue to evolve more even after Dallas traded Kristaps Porzingis to the Washington Wizards for Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans. Suddenly, a change of scenery makes things look more exciting. Dinwiddie looks like a tremendous pickup, and Bertans is making threes. It's like a change of scenery is all that needs to happen.

Dallas was a few possessions away from upsetting Utah the other night in Salt Lake City. But one thing's clear: Since that trade, Dallas looks like a much different team with a much different outlook. The lack of size may hinder coach Jason Kidd's ability down the stretch, but combing Playoff Luka with this group and you're going to see this team do some crazy damage and even get out of the first round.

Maybe it'll help if they don't play the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round. They'll at least beat this current group without Kawhi Leonard or Paul George, if that means anything. 

So ... how about those Los Angeles Lakers, huh? They're really something. Something bad/smelly. They do stink, yes. But we're quickly learning how much of the nose-clogging needs to be done.

The Lakers are in trouble. There's no other way around it. Anthony Davis is still out, the depth of this team is apparently trash, and LeBron James is already thinking about going back to Cleveland. What kind of sorcery is happening? You know what I blame? Changing the name to Crypto.com Arena. Don't do that, and things are a lot better in basketball land in Los Angeles.

Five losses in six games. Each one perhaps worst than the last. The Lakers are coming off a 123-95 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans of all teams, watching what a balanced, scoring team looks like. Who am I kidding? This happened without Zion Williamson. What a horrendous showing. LeBron can't put up 32 points and have them lose by 28. It's atrocious that it's come to that. Russell Westbrook has been god-awful, Carmelo Anthony took nine total shots in 30 minutes; DeAndre Jordan did something so stupid that he got cut the next day.

Nothing is going right for this team and I honestly have no idea how they fix that. The fact Dallas is 4.5-point favorites is a godsend for the Lakers bettors. But not having Davis in the lineup has certainly hurt things. The Lakers have shown the last two years that nothing can be accomplished if Davis isn't running a pick-and-roll with LeBron. Dwight Howard is washed up, there are too many wings that can't shoot, it's just a giant mess right now with no end in sight.

One thing that I've noticed when it comes to Mavs-Lakers in the past few years is that even when the Lakers are playing their absolute worst brand of basketball, they still find a way to give Dallas hell. But it's different this time around when the Mavs are playing their best ball of the season and are giving all teams, no matter their actual stance in the league, a run for their money. Whether that translates to the playoffs remains to be seen, but I think LeBron will be up for playing Luka and vice-versa. But it's hard to not like the Mavs right now and the way they're playing. Luka may go full god mode and outduel LeBron. That'd be good for the memes. Mavs by 10

The Mavs are 26-12 ATS when a road favorite of six points or less.

The under is 25-11 when the Mavs finish with the under the previous game.

The Lakers are 113-124 ATS as a home underdog since 1996.

PG: Luka Doncic

SG: Jalen Brunson

SF: Reggie Bullock

PF: Dorian Finney-Smith

C: Dwight Powell

PG: Russell Westbrook

SG: Malik Monk

SF: LeBron James

PF: Trevor Ariza

C: Dwight Howard

Mavericks: Tim Hardaway Jr. (out), Marquese Chriss (out), Frank Ntilikina (out), Trey Burke (out)

Lakers: Anthony Davis (out), Avery Bradley (out), Kendrick Nunn (out), Austin Reaves (probable)

Points: Luka Doncic -- 27.6

Rebounds: Luka Doncic -- 9.2

Assists: Luka Doncic -- 8.9

Points: LeBron James -- 29.0

Rebounds: LeBron James -- 7.9

Assists: Russell Westbrook -- 7.3