Lakers head to Dallas as 3.5-point favorites against struggling Mavericks
The Los Angeles Lakers are hitting the road to face the Dallas Mavericks Wednesday night in what’s shaping up to be a crucial Western Conference showdown. The Lakers (48-21) enter as slight favorites over the Mavs (38-41), who are fighting to hold onto their playoff hopes.
This one’s got some serious drama built in.
It’ll be Luka Doncic’s first game against his former team since the blockbuster February trade that sent him to LA in exchange for Anthony Davis.
The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET at American Airlines Center and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
## Injury Concerns for Both Teams
The Lakers might be without Bronny James (illness) and Rui Hachimura (knee), with both listed as questionable. Anthony Davis is dealing with an adductor issue but is expected to play.
Dallas has bigger problems.
The Mavs will definitely be missing Kyrie Irving, who’s out for the season with a torn ACL. Jaden Hardy (ankle) has been ruled out, while Dante Exum (hand) is questionable. They’re also without Oliver-Maxence Prosper (wrist) for the remainder of the season.
## Lakers Fighting for Playoff Position
Los Angeles sits third in the West with just three games left, but their position is far from secure.
They’re only one game ahead of a four-team logjam that includes the Clippers, Nuggets, Warriors, and Grizzlies. One bad week could send them tumbling down the standings.
The Lakers are a decent 18-21 on the road this season and have gone 5-5 in their last 10 games.
They’re coming off a rough 136-120 loss to Oklahoma City on Tuesday night, where Doncic got ejected in the fourth quarter after picking up his second technical foul. After he left, the Thunder outscored the Lakers 29-12 to seal the win.
## Mavericks Desperately Need a Win
Dallas is hanging onto the 10th spot in the West by their fingernails.
They’re trailing the 9th-place Kings by one game while trying to stay ahead of the Suns and Trail Blazers, who are both just three games back.
The Mavs have been mediocre at home (21-17) and have really struggled in conference play with a 23-27 record.
They’re coming off two embarrassing losses to the Clippers – 114-91 on Friday and an even worse 135-104 drubbing on Saturday. Davis scored 27 points in that second loss, while Kai Jones added 18 for Dallas.
## What to Expect
ESPN’s Basketball Power Index gives the Lakers a 57.4% chance to win this one.
History isn’t on the Mavericks’ side either. They haven’t beaten a Pacific Division team in their last six tries. But the Lakers have their own demons to fight – they’re just 3-8 in their last 11 games against Dallas.
With playoff positioning on the line and the emotional storyline of Doncic facing his former team, this one should be worth watching.
