The Dallas Mavericks will look to win their fifth consecutive game over the Los Angeles Lakers when they meet in a Western Conference matchup in Dallas on Sunday. The Mavericks (32-29), who have lost three of four, are 24-16 in conference matchups. The Lakers (28-32), who have won two in a row, are 15-20 within the conference this year. Dallas has won four of the last five home matchups against Los Angeles, including a 124-115 win on Dec. 25.
Tip-off from American Airlines Center in Dallas is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. Los Angeles leads the all-time regular-season series 115-54, but Dallas has won the last four meetings. The Mavericks are 4-point favorites in the latest Lakers vs. Mavericks odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is set at 236. Before making any Mavericks vs. Lakers picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four-plus seasons. The model exits the NBA All-Star break on a stunning 55-30 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,100. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Lakers vs. Mavericks and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Mavs vs. Lakers:
- Lakers vs. Mavericks spread: Mavs -4
- Lakers vs. Mavericks over/under: 236 points
- Lakers vs. Mavericks money line: Lakers +143, Mavs -170
- LAL: The Under is 4-1 in the Lakers' last five games overall
- DAL: The Mavericks are 1-6-1 against the spread in their last eight Sunday games
- Lakers vs. Mavericks picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Mavericks can cover
Forward Christian Wood, who has started 17 of 49 games this season, is averaging 17.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 blocks per game. He has registered 10 double-doubles, including a 26-point and 14-rebound performance in a 100-99 overtime loss at Cleveland on Dec. 17. He is coming off a 16-point and seven-rebound effort on Thursday against San Antonio. In two games against the Lakers this season, he is averaging 27 points, 11 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 3.5 blocks and 2.5 steals per game.
Small forward Tim Hardaway Jr. averages 13.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. He is coming off a 22-point game in the win over the Spurs on Thursday. Hardaway has been dominant against the Lakers. In two games against Los Angeles this season, he is averaging 24 points and seven rebounds. He has scored 10 or more points in 36 games, including 14 with 20 or more.
Why the Lakers can cover
Despite that, Dallas isn't a lock to cover the Lakers vs. Mavericks spread. That's because Los Angeles is led by small forward LeBron James, who is listed as probable for the game despite having a foot injury. In 46 games, all starts, James is averaging 29.6 points, 8.4 rebounds and seven assists. He is coming off a 13-point performance against Golden State in limited action. He scored a season-high 48 points against Houston on Jan. 16.
Power forward Anthony Davis has played in 36 games with 34 starts. He is averaging 25.6 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, two blocks and 1.1 steals per game. Davis has recorded 27 double-doubles on the year, including a 12-point and 12-rebound performance against the Warriors on Thursday. He scored a season-high 55 points at Washington on Dec. 4.
How to make Mavericks vs. Lakers picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 241 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations. You can only get the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Lakers vs. Mavericks? And which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.
