by Rod Pearson
Tuesday, Apr 08, 2025
Game Time: 7:30 pm ET, Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Where to Watch: ESPN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Lakers -4.5, Mavericks +4.5; Over/Under: 228 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Lakers -4.5, Mavericks +4.5; Over/Under: 228 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Lakers -4.5, Mavericks +4.5; Over/Under: 228 points
Season Record
Los Angeles Lakers: 48-30 (1st place, Pacific Division)
Dallas Mavericks: 38-41 (3rd place, Southwest Division)
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Recent Form
Los Angeles Lakers: 5-5 last 10
Dallas Mavericks: 5-5 last 10
Los Angeles Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks Preview and Analysis
The Lakers are entering this game with a 48-30 record overall this season and they are 18-20 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game winning streak with wins coming against the New Orleans Pelicans and the Oklahoma City Thunder, but this is also the 2nd game of a back-to-back for them with another game against the Thunder still to be played on Tuesday night. In their previous game against the Thunder, Luka Dončić led the team in points in that game with 30 while Austin Reaves was next on the team with 20 points. LeBron James led the team in assists in that game with 7 while Rui Hachimura, Luka Dončić, and Dorian Finney-Smith each led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 54.8% from the field, 55% from 3-point range, and 70.6% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 113.4 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 112.1 PPG against them. The Lakers have an ATS record of 43-33-2 this season and their O/U record is 39-39.
The Mavericks are entering this game with a 38-41 record overall this season and they are 21-17 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game losing streak with losses coming against the Los Angeles Clippers twice in a row. Anthony Davis led the team in points in that game with 27 while Kai Jones was next on the team with 18 points. Spencer Dinwiddie led the team in assists in that game with 9 while Anthony Davis led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 43.6% from the field, 25.9% from 3-point range, and 76.3% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 114.5 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 115.4 PPG against them. The Mavericks have an ATS record of 37-40-2 this season and their O/U record is 43-35-1.
Lakers vs Mavericks Prediction
The current betting odds have the Mavericks listed as a 4.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Mavericks haven't looked good in their games this season with their 38-41 record overall which has them in the bottom half of the West and in the last play-in spot. They have looked better on their home court though with their 21-17 home record this season. Meanwhile, the Lakers have looked good in their games this season with their 48-30 record overall which has them right near the top of the West and in a playoff spot. They haven't been a good road team though with their 18-20 road record. The Lakers have won 2 games in a row now, but they haven't looked that great lately. They are only 5-5 in their last 10 games and they aren't in a good situation here either, playing this game on a back-to-back with a tough game against the thunder on Tuesday night. The Mavericks haven't looked any better lately as they are also 5-5 in their last 10 games and have lost 2 games in a row now, getting crushed by the Clippers in both of those games, but they are still fighting to lock up their spot in the play-in tournament so they are going to bring their best effort here. They are also going to have some extra in the tank for the Lakers since this game is against their former teammate Luka Doncic, and the Mavs can try to take advantage of the Lakers in this bad situation since they haven't been a good road team for most of the season. The best way to place a bet here is on the Mavericks to cover the spread in this game.
Lakers Mavericks Prediction: Our NBA Pick for Wednesday, April 9, 2025 (7:30 pm ET start time) is Mavericks 114 Lakers 105.
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NBA Betting Trends
Los Angeles Lakers: 33-25 ATS against Southwest division opponents. 23-17 1H ATS when playing against a marginal losing team (Win Pct. 40% to 49%). 28-15 OVER as a road favorite. 30-10 OVER when playing against a marginal losing team (Win Pct. 40% to 49%).
Dallas Mavericks: 4-8 ATS after allowing 135 points or more. 16-24 ATS at home revenging a road loss vs opponent. 8-4 1H OVER when playing with 3 or more days rest. 9-5 1H OVER off a road blowout loss of 20 points or more.
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Lakers: B. James (SG) Day To Day - Illness. L. James (SF) Day To Day - Groin. G. Vincent (PG) Day To Day - Knee. A. Reaves (SG) Day To Day - Ankle. D. Finney-Smith (PF) Day To Day - Ankle. L. Doncic (PG) Day To Day - Groin. R. Hachimura (PF) Out - Knee. M. Kleber (PF) Out - Foot.
Dallas Mavericks: D. Gafford (C) Day To Day - Knee. J. Hardy (SG) Day To Day - Leg. K. Irving (SG) Out For Season - Knee. D. Exum (PG) Out - Hand. O. Prosper (PF) Out For Season - Wrist.
Notable Quotes
"Between Oklahoma and Cleveland, they're the best teams in the NBA. Oklahoma are the number one team in the West so you can't let up no matter what the score is - they're always going to make a push. That's why they are where they are at this part of the season. So it's a really good win for us and we can build off it. We're just trying to build our habits right now, going into the final stretch of the year." - LeBron James after their win against the OKC Thunder in their game on Sunday.
"Just another home game. It should be electric. I think the fans will be excited to see Luka. We'll be excited to figure out how to protect home." - Jason Kidd on this upcoming game against the LA Lakers.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Lakers
PG Luka Doncic
SG Austin Reaves
SF Jordan Goodwin
PF LeBron James
C Jaxson Hayes
Dallas Mavericks
PG Spencer Dinwiddie
SG Klay Thompson
SF P.J. Washington
PF Anthony Davis
C Dereck Lively II
Statistical Leaders
Los Angeles Lakers
PPG: L. Dončić (27.7)
APG: L. James (8.4)
Reb/G: L. Dončić (8.3)
Dallas Mavericks
PPG: A. Davis (25)
APG: K. Irving (4.6)
Reb/G: A. Davis (11.6)
Coaches:
Los Angeles Lakers: JJ Redick (1st season)
Dallas Mavericks: Jason Kidd (4th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
