The Los Angeles Lakers (20-15) travel to face off against the Dallas Mavericks (20-16) on Tuesday, January 7th. This game will be played at American Airlines Center in Dallas and televised on TNT. Both the Lakers and Mavericks will be looking to bounce back from losses in their previous games. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 ET.

Lakers vs Mavericks

The Lakers Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Lakers fell to 20-15 this season after a 119-115 road loss to the Rockets on Sunday. Los Angeles, who entered the game as +4.5 point underdogs, managed to cover the spread. The game’s total of 234 points went over the pre-game line of 217.5 by 16.5 points.

Houston jumped out to a big lead early, going on an 11-0 run to extend the score from 33-22 to 44-22. The Lakers responded with a strong 3rd quarter, outscoring the Rockets 40-24 to cut the deficit to 91-89 heading into the 4th, but Houston edged them out 28-26 in the final period.

The Mavericks Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Mavericks fell to 20-16 on the season after a 119-104 road loss to the Grizzlies on Monday. Dallas entered the game as +4.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 223, falling short of the 232.5 O/U line.

Dallas started strong, leading 36-26 after the 1st quarter, but a 12-0 run by Memphis shifted the momentum. The Grizzlies outscored the Mavericks 30-19 in the 2nd quarter and continued to pull away, winning the 3rd and 4th quarters 31-25 and 32-24, respectively.

Lakers Offense Breakdown

Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 30 points and 13 rebounds in their 119-115 loss to the Rockets, scoring 11 points in both the 3rd and 4th quarters. LeBron James and Austin Reaves each contributed 21 points, with LeBron adding 13 rebounds and 9 assists, while Reaves dished out 10 assists.

The Lakers connected on 16 threes, shooting 44.4% from beyond the arc and 48.7% overall. LeBron hit 4 threes at a 57.1% clip, and Reaves made 3, shooting 50% from deep.

Mavericks Offense Breakdown

In their 119-104 loss to the Grizzlies, the Mavericks shot just 40.8% from the field and hit 13 threes at a 36.1% clip. P.J. Washington led the way with 17 points, adding 9 in the 1st quarter and 6 more in the 3rd.

Naji Marshall contributed 16 points, while Klay Thompson and Jaden Hardy each added 15, with Thompson scoring 8 in the 4th. Hardy also put up 9 points in the 3rd quarter.

Lakers Team Defense

The Lakers struggled defensively in the 1st and 2nd quarters, giving up 36 and 31 points, respectively, but tightened up in the 3rd, allowing just 24 points. Overall, they allowed 119 points on 47% shooting from the Rockets.

From beyond the arc, the Lakers gave up 14 made threes on 35% shooting. They sent the Rockets to the line 19 times, where they hit 11 free throws. The Lakers recorded 4 steals and 5 blocks in the game.

Mavericks Team Defense

The Lakers struggled defensively in the 1st and 2nd quarters, allowing 36 and 31 points, respectively, before tightening up in the 3rd, where they gave up just 24 points. However, they couldn’t hold off the Rockets in the 4th, allowing 28 points and ultimately falling 119-115.

Overall, the Lakers allowed the Rockets to shoot 47% from the field, including 35% from beyond the arc, with Houston making 14 threes. The Rockets also went to the line 19 times, converting 11 free throws. The Lakers finished with 4 steals and 5 blocks.

Lakers vs Mavericks Trends

• Across their last five road contests, Los Angeles has been good against the spread posting a mark of 4-1. Their overall mark in these games was 3-2, while averaging 106 points per game.
• When looking at their past five home matchups, Dallas has an ATS record of 1-4 while averaging 104 per game. The team went 1-4 overall in these games.
• As the betting underdog, the Mavericks have an ATS mark of just 0-3 in their last three games. Dallas posted a straight up mark of 0-3 in these matchups.
• The Lakers have played well in their last five games as the betting favorite, going 4-1 straight up and 3-2 against the spread.

Lakers vs Mavericks Prediction

We’re backing the Lakers for a victory, with the projected score at 126-87. Additionally, we favor them to cover the spread, so we recommend placing a bet on the Lakers at -6.5.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 219.5 and our model has the Lakers and Mavericks finishing with a combined 213 points. Our pick is to take the under.

All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.