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The Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks will square off tomorrow night at the American Airlines Arena. This is the first time Luka Dončić has returned to Dallas since being traded for Anthony Davis earlier this season. With the Lakers trying to solidify their positioning as one of the top teams in the West, the Mavericks look to hang onto a spot in the Play-in Tournament.
Let’s break down this matchup by reflecting on both teams’ seasons and making a game pick.
The Dallas Mavericks have faced some challenges this season and currently sit in the ninth spot in the Western Conference. Despite their struggles, they remain a dangerous team, thanks to their superstar, Anthony Davis, who joined the Mavericks mid-season. When Davis has been healthy, he has been dominant on both ends of the floor. With the Mavericks, he is averaging over 20 points and 9 rebounds per game and just under 2 blocks per game in just seven games played. His presence has made a huge difference for the Mavericks, especially for rim protection, where he is one of the league’s elite shot-blockers.
However, Kyrie Irving’s injury complicated the Mavericks’ situation. Irving, who was expected to be a key offensive weapon alongside Davis, has been sidelined for several games. This has put additional pressure on the team, but the Mavericks can rely on Davis and their solid supporting cast, including shooters like P.J. Washington and Klay Thompson, to help keep the offense flowing.
While the Mavericks have had some ups and downs this season, particularly with injuries, they are still a tough team to face. Plus, emotions will run high with Anthony Davis taking on his former team.
The Los Angeles Lakers have also been a force in the Western Conference, with their fortunes having shifted since the acquisition of Luka Dončić. Currently positioned in the upper half of the West, the Lakers are in contention for a deep playoff run, with Dončić playing at an MVP level.
Luka Dončić has been a standout performer for the Lakers this season, averaging around 27 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists per game. His ability to dominate with the ball in his hands has made the Lakers offense one of the league’s most potent. Alongside Dončić, LeBron James continues defying his age, contributing over 24 points per game while also chipping in with 8 rebounds and around 7 assists since being paired up with Luka. Plus, you have a guy like Austin Reaves, who is starting to take the next step in becoming an NBA star.
However, the Lakers have struggled on defense, particularly for rim protection. With the departure of Anthony Davis to the Mavericks, the Lakers have had to rely on other players to fill the void defensively. This will be a key area of concern for Los Angeles in this matchup, especially against a team like the Mavericks, a team that features strong interior players and perimeter shooters.
This game should be a highly competitive matchup between two star-powered teams. The Mavericks, now without Kyrie Irving for the rest of the season, will rely heavily on Anthony Davis to lead their offense and defense. On the other hand, the Lakers, with Luka Dončić leading the charge, will look to take advantage of the Mavericks’ defensive schemes and the absence of their star guard.
For our top pick of the game, we’re leaning towards Luka Dončić to deliver another impressive performance. Dončić has quickly become the focal point of the Lakers offense since joining the team and his scoring, playmaking and rebounding are key to their success. With Irving out, the Mavericks will likely rely more on Davis, but Dončić’s ability to exploit mismatches, especially in isolation, will give the Lakers plenty of opportunities to score.
However, the Mavericks defense will struggle to contain Dončić. His ability to drive to the basket, create plays for others and knock down shots from all areas will be crucial for the Lakers in this contest. That said, we expect Luka to have a big revenge game and to score at least 25 points in this one against his former team.
Dylan has had a love for sports since he was a kid. Four years ago, he decided to dive into the sports content-creating industry specializing in Fantasy Football, NFL and NBA. He has since had his work published on sites that include Fantasy Alarm, Fansided, and Fantasy Six Pack.