Both teams are 3-1 and facing a new set of obstacles. For the Los Angeles Lakers, it’s the start of their first consecutive road games this season, while for the Dallas Mavericks, it’s arguably the most experienced team they have faced in terms of superstar leadership.
The Lakers’ offense is ramping up
Offense is the name of this era of basketball, and the Lakers are revved up to prove that they can contend with the elite run-and-gun teams. They have scored 120 points in each of their last two games while also featuring crisp ball movement, dishing out 30 and 25 assists in those contests.
Furthermore, Anthony Davis is currently fourth in scoring at 28.8 points per game, while LeBron James is third in assists with 9.5 dimes per game.
Doing what they’re supposed to
The last two victories are against the Memphis Grizzlies and Charlotte Hornets, a pair of opponents that aren’t really feared by contending teams. One might say it’s not impressive, but we can also think that it is to some extent since they were able to do what was expected by winning via blowout.
In the recent game, the Lakers pulled away midway in the third quarter. The Grizzlies were actually up, 67-66, with 5:47 left in the period, before the Lake Show fired away 22 unanswered points that stretched until the end of the quarter. It became the catalyst of a dominating 120-91 win.
Davis led the way, as he tallied 40 points and 20 rebounds in just three quarters. He also made his best James Harden impression by going to the line 27 times, where he made all but one.
The Mavs are looking good
The 3-1 Mavs could’ve easily been 4-0 if not for some lapses in the two-point loss against the Portland Trail Blazers this past Monday. It’s still fine and dandy, though. They are all geared up to become a playoff squad in the Western Conference, and some factors were evident during Wednesday’s 109-106 win over the Denver Nuggets.
In the victory, the team was able to survive an off-night from their two stars – Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis – who combined for just 22 points on 7-for-26 shooting. The supporting cast rallied and seven scored in double figures, which included all five players from the second unit.
Doncic and Porzingis should be able to bounce back in no time. The former, in particular, is fast-growing into a superstar, thanks to his smooth skillset and do-it-all style of play. The second-year swingman is netting 25 points, 8.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 2.3 steals per game this season.
PREDICTION:
The Mavericks lost all three match-ups with the Lakers last season, but they’ll snap that losing streak on Saturday courtesy of a big game from Doncic. The problems in defending Davis will be apparent but they’ll pull through and win a close one.
