The Dallas Mavericks arrive in La La Land in pursuit of a win that has eluded them of late, while the Los Angeles Lakers are looking to keep the good time rolling. Will the Mavs end their slump? Or, will the Lakers sustain their form and add to Dallas’ woes?
Catch this game live on Thursday, November 23, 2023 at 11:30 AM, Manila time
Away: Dallas Mavericks (9-5/5-4 Away)
Projected Starting Five:
- Luka Doncic
- Kyrie Irving
- Derrick Jones Jr.
- Grant Williams
- Dereck Lively II
Luka Doncic and the Mavs have just suffered their first consecutive losses of the 2023-24 NBA season after absorbing setbacks at the hand of the Milwaukee Bucks on the road last Sunday (132-125) and the Sacramento Kings (129-113) at home the following day. But after two full days of rest, the Mavs may have already gotten their leg back in time for a matchup versus the red-hot Lakers.
This time, the Mavs could have the fresher legs, with the Lakers playing on the second game of a back-to-back. While defense has been an issue this season for the Mavs, their offense is sparkling. In fact, the Mavs are second in the NBA with 122.8 points per game and fourth with a 57.5 eFG%. With a potentially fatigued Lakers in front of them, the Mavs could have a field day scoring this Thursday. Plus, the Lakers are just 3-5 against the spread at home this season so that gives a bit of an encouragement for Dallas backers.
Home: Los Angeles Lakers (9-6/7-1 Home)
Projected Starting Five:
- D’Angelo Russell
- Austin Reaves
- LeBron James
- Rui Hachimura
- Anthony Davis
The Lakers continue to gain steam. They are now on a three-game win streak after blowing out Jordan Clarkson and the Utah Jazz at home on Wednesday, 131-99. That game turned into a glorified exhibition game early, giving LeBron James and Anthony Davis some extra time to rest.
James flirted with a triple-double, posting 17 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds in only 24 minutes, while Davis had 26 points in 29 minutes of action.
Although the Lakers are playing the Mavs on the second day of a back-to-back, LeBron and AD will enter Thursday’s game not feeling weary or beat up. As mentioned earlier, the Mavs’ defense is faulty and seemingly has the strength of a wet paper bag. The Lakers can be the next team to take advantage of it, as the Mavs are just 26th in the league in adjusted defensive rating (117.3) and 24th in scoring defense (120.4 PPG).
There is also the potential of a Christian Wood revenge game, as he will be facing his former team for the first time this season.
PREDICTIONS:
Spread: The Mavs (-1.5) cover the spread.
Over/Under: The total (236.0) hits the Over.
