For the first time since Nico Harrison gave every Dallas Mavericks fan basketball trauma, the Mavs will be taking on their former franchise face, Luka Doncic, and the Los Angeles Lakers in this showdown in Tinseltown. There are a lot of stories to talk about this game, but there’s simply nothing bigger than the Doncic narrative. In any case, expect all eyes to be on this huge game between Western Conference rivals (and sometimes trade partners).

Catch this game live on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 11:00 AM, Manila time

Away: Dallas Mavericks (31-27/13-16 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Kyrie Irving
  • Dante Exum
  • Klay Thompson
  • Kessler Edwards
  • P.J. Washington (Questionable)

Coming off a 126-102 obliteration at the hands of the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, the Mavs will look to make a big bounce-back statement this Wednesday against the Luka Doncic-infused Lakers. The Mavs are doing a fine job of keeping their heads above water since Doncic’s shocking trade to Los Angeles, and they are doing it with Anthony Davis having played just a game so far with them. 

Davis is still dealing with a left adductor strain, so he’s not expected to see action against the team he won an NBA ring with. In eight games since Doncic’s Dallas departure, the Mavs have gone 5-3 straight up and averaged 116.0 points while allowing 115.0 per contest. Kyrie Irving continues to lead the Mavs with 24.7 points per game this season. He put up 31.3 points on 50.8 FG% in his last three games. Meanwhile, the Lakers can’t sleep on Max Christie, who carries a sneaky revenge game factor. He is averaging 15.3 points on 50.0 FG% and 43.6 3-point FG% since becoming a Maverick.

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Home: Los Angeles Lakers (34-21/19-7 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Luka Doncic
  • Austin Reaves
  • Rui Hachimura
  • LeBron James
  • Jaxson Hayes

Did the real Luka Doncic stand up in the last Lakers outing? After pedestrian performances in the early goings of his Lakers stint, Doncic had Los Angeles fans shrieking like high school girls when he erupted for 32 points on 10-for-22 shooting from the field in LA’s 123-110 road win last Sunday against the Denver Nuggets. 

The Slovenian also had 10 rebounds, seven assists and four steals. Doncic is still trying to get to his top form but what he showed in the Denver game was a reason for the Lakers and their fans to feel excited. And speaking of revenge games, the ingredients are there for Doncic this Wednesday. As a team, the Lakers could make a living in the paint against Dallas’ interior defense that is missing Davis, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II. Los Angeles scored 52 points against Denver and is 10th in the league with 50.0 points per game in the shaded area.

Picks

Spread: Dallas Mavericks (+8.5)

Over/Under: Over (231.0)

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