by Chuck Sommers
Sunday, Dec 25, 2022
Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Where to watch: ABC
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Mavs -8; Mavs -330, Lakers +275; O/U 230
FanDuel: Mavs -8; Mavs -340, Lakers +275; O/U 230
BetMGM: Mavs -7.5; Mavs -350, Lakers +260; O/U 229.5
Caesars: Mavs -8; Mavs -345, Lakers +275; O/U 229.5
Season record
Lakers: 13-19
Mavs: 17-16
Well, if you’ve never seen a balanced NBA season to this point, you’re in for some craziness along the way. A lot of new faces in new places already making an impact, and our champion handicappers are already starting to take notice. The last 30 days have seen our champion handicappers cashing in a great deal. Look at Brian Bitler going 80-55-0 in the last 30 days, a run of $18,800 net profit. How about ASA, Inc.? He’s on a 55-41-2 run the last 30 days. You know where to go for your best analysis. As the season progresses, you know we're going to be in a position to deliver you the best analysis and picks that one can have in this market. Make sure you check out our Best Bets page at bigal.com to find all of our handicappers' selections, comprehensive previews, and more!
Lakers - Mavs preview, prediction and analysis
Lakers analysis
It has been a nightmare season for the Los Angeles Lakers. Not much we do know and it's already been well documented that they have had an abysmal season the likes of which we have never seen before. But one thing is clear with this team, and it's going to be the biggest question mark going forward for the remainder of time. Anthony Davis, at this moment, makes this team go. LeBron James does what he can and will always be the dominant force that every team would love to have. But the fact that Davis is hurt once again and is looking to be out for at least a month now, the Lakers are in trouble and have no real sense of how to fix it. They've tried about everything, and it does not seem to benefit this club in any way. The Lakers have lost three straight games, they have given up 130 points at least in those three losses, and twice and they have lost by double digits. The Lakers have also lost four straight against the spread after going 2-0-1 in their previous three. But it is clear at this moment that the Lakers cannot do anything unless LeBron and Davis are healthy and are willing to contribute for this team. That's why this Christmas is not going to be a fun one in Southern California because this could be a very long afternoon for the Lakers.
Mavs analysis
For as frustrating as this season has been for the Lakers, you can make the argument that it is equally as frustrating, if not more, for the Dallas Mavericks. Sitting at just one game over .500, The Mavericks are currently trying to figure out how in the world they are going to be competitive this year. Because it is absolutely not the depth of this organization, that was so good in the playoffs last year, that is going to be good enough for this team to make a run. Because no matter what anyone says, Luka Doncic should not be having to put up 50 points in just a six point victory against the Houston Rockets period now, I will not discredit what Houston has done this year, racking up some very impressive victories and shocking the sports betting world with a few of their recent games over the last couple of weeks. But it clearly shows that if Dallas cannot get anything beyond a 50 point masterpiece from Luka from anyone else on the bench, you know you're in trouble. But after two straight victories, and a chance to win a third straight and make this a more memorable Christmas, Dallas is looking pretty right now actually. The schedule is very much favored in their direction with the Lakers on Sunday, the New York Knicks on Tuesday with jalen Brunson returning to Dallas, Houston again, and San Antonio. Suddenly the schedule looks very favorable for Dallas.
Prediction
Don't be surprised if the under is a big play here considering how the under is 4-0 in the last four Dallas games while the over has cashed in the last five Lakers road games. If Dallas plays decent defense, it is going to have a field day against the Lakers and considering the Lakers have failed to cover in their last four games, Dallas being eight point favorites suits them well for this one. Mavs 114, Lakers 99
Betting trends
Lakers are 153-117 ATS after 3 straight overs since 1996.
Mavs are 3-12 ATS as a favorite between 3.5 and 9.5 this season.
Mavs are 37-25 ATS after winning 2 of 3 the last two seasons.
Mavs are 60-41 ATS after playing a road game the last 3 seasons.
Projected starting lineup
Lakers:
PG: Dennis Schroder
SG: Patrick Beverley
SF: Lonnie Walker IV
PF: LeBron James
C: Thomas Bryant
Mavs:
PG: Luka Doncic
SG: Spencer Dinwiddie
SF: Tim Hardaway Jr.
PF: Davis Bertans
C: Christian Wood
Injury report
Lakers: Anthony Davis (foot, out)
Mavs: Josh Green (elbow, out), Dorian Finney-Smith (hip, out), Kemba Walker (knee, out), Maxi Kleber (hamstring, out)
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Los Angeles Lakers - Dallas Mavericks prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NBA projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
