Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

A trade that has been jeered since the beginning looks worse and worse as each day goes by.

Dallas fans get to see the results of that move first-hand as their beloved Luka Doncic returns to American Airlines Arena for the first time since the February 2 trade that sent him to Los Angeles as the Mavericks host the Lakers.

Both teams’ fortunes have gone in dramatically different directions since the trade. The Lakers have gone 20-12 since the trade and 16-10 with Doncic in the lineup. Los Angeles is 48-31 overall, good for third in the Western Conference. Dallas, meanwhile, is just 12-18 since the trade and has fallen into the Play-In Tournament spots.

Recently, Los Angeles has knocked off the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets, the two teams ahead of them in the West. That includes a dominating 126-99 victory over the Thunder in OKC Sunday night. Los Angeles scored 42 points in the first quarter, made a season-high 22 three-pointers, and led by double digits the rest of the way.

But, the Lakers dropped a 136-120 decision in Oklahoma City last night. James had 28 points and seven rebounds and Reaves added 24 points. Doncic had 23 points before being ejected in the fourth quarter with his second technical foul of the evening. The Lakers were outscored 29-12 without him.

Read below to see our experts’ predictions for this latest matchup.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks betting picks and predictions

Los Angeles Lakers -3.5 (-110)

The Mavs have been in a bit of a freefall since the trade, going 12-18 since Doncic switched jerseys.

It doesn’t help that the main piece coming back in that transaction, Anthony Davis, has only been healthy for seven contests. The team is 5-2 when he has played, but multiple injuries have plagued him since his arrival in Dallas.

Dallas is 38-41 overall and 21-17 at home and currently clinging to the fourth and final Play-In spot in the West.

They have lost two straight, both blowouts at the Los Angeles Clippers over the weekend. The team dropped a 114-91 decision Friday night as Naji Marshall led the team with 22 points. 

Davis returned and had 27 points and nine rebounds on Saturday, but the Mavericks still lost easily, 135-104. Kai Jones had 18 points and Klay Thompson added 14.

The teams have split two games this season, with this contest the rubber match. Dallas won at home in January, 118-97. Doncic was out with an injury, while Davis led the Lakers with 21 points and 12 rebounds.

The Lakers won at home in late February, 107-99, thanks to Doncic’s first triple-double with the team. He had 19 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists, while Davis did not play for Dallas.

The Mavs have won 7 of the last 10 games in this series, but it is clear that the Lakers have momentum moving forward.

Kyrie Irving is out for the season with a torn ACL, Davis is always, at best, day-to-day and just like when the two teams met in LA in February, LeBron will make sure that Doncic’s return to Dallas is a prosperous one.

As if Doncic needed the help. In 26 games with the Lakers, Doncic is averaging 27.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.6 assists. He perfectly complements James, who is still getting it done, averaging 24.5 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.9 rebounds.

Los Angeles is 43-35-1 against the spread on the season, including 4-2 ATS in its last six contests. Dallas is 37-40-2 ATS this season, including 19-19 against the spread at home.

The Mavericks have gone just 17-29 as the underdog and Los Angeles is 34-14 as the favorite. Both teams are 5-5 in their last 10 games.

Look for Doncic’s Dallas homecoming to be a successful one with LA covering the 3.5-point spread as favorites.

Luka Doncic Over 30.5 Points (-125)

When Doncic had his 19-15-12 triple-double in the win over the Mavericks in February, he was still just warming up after missing a month with an injury.

Now, he’s back in full gear. He'll be motivated to show Dallas how big of a mistake they made.

Doncic has surpassed 30.5 points nine times so far with the Lakers. Look for him to make it 10.

Over 229.0 Total Points (-110)

The Lakers have played to the Over in 11 of their last 16 games.

Look for that trend to continue against an overmatched Dallas side in a potential blowout as the two teams combine to total over 229.0 points.

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Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks odds

Los Angeles Lakers	-165 ML
Dallas Mavericks	+140 ML
Spread	LA Lakers -3.5
Total Points	O/U 229.0

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks player props

Player Points

Luka Doncic (LA Lakers)	O/U 30.5
LeBron James (LA Lakers)	O/U 24.5
Austin Reaves (LA Lakers)	O/U 19.5
Anthony Davis (DAL Mavericks)	O/U 26.5
P.J. Washington (DAL Mavericks)	O/U 14.5
Klay Thompson (DAL Mavericks)	O/U 12.5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.