Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers - 12/29/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Dallas Mavericks vs Los Angeles Lakers

Date: Sunday, December 29, 2019

Location: Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA

TV: Spectrum SportsNet

Odds/Point Spread: Los Angeles -2

Total/Over-Under: 222

Staples Center is the venue where LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers (24-7, 1st in the Pacific Division) will play the Dallas Mavericks (20-10, 2nd in the Southwest Division) on Sunday. The line on this matchup has Los Angeles as 2 point favorites. The total is set at 222.

The Mavericks cover the spread 56.7% of the time, having gone 17-13-0 ATS. Los Angeles is covering the spread 51.6% of the time, going 16-15-0 against the spread.

Key Dallas Mavericks Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

12/27/2019 Kyle Kuzma PF Ankle Game Time Decision
12/27/2019 Anthony Davis PF Knee Game Time Decision
12/25/2019 LeBron James SF Ribs Game Time Decision
8/15/2019 DeMarcus Cousins C Knee Expected to be out until at least May 15

Player Spotlight

Tim Hardaway comes into this contest averaging 13.7 points per game while playing 26.2 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 2.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 41% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 80%. Kristaps Porzingis averages 17.4 points per game in 31.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.4 assists per contest and 9.6 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 40% for the year while his free throw percentage is 72%.

Player Spotlight

LeBron James averages 25.7 points per game while playing 34.9 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 7.6 rebounds per game and has 10.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is at 68%. Anthony Davis averages 27.7 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 9.3 rebounds per contest and 3.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

Dallas averages 116.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 4th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 8.2 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 11th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 8th in the league. They average 48.2 rebounds per game and 24.6 assists per game, which ranks them 3rd and 13th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 30th with 12.9 per game. The Mavericks allow 108.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 15th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 11th and 3rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.5 rebounds a game which ranks 15th and they give up 22.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 6th place in the league. They force 12.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 1st in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles is 11th in the league with 112.1 points per game this year. They are 2nd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 6.9. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 18th in the NBA. They are 17th in the league in rebounding with 45.4 boards per game, and 7th in assists per contest with 25.8. The Lakers are 12th in turnovers per game with 15.4. The Lakers surrender 105.1 points per contest, which ranks them 5th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 7th and 9th in those defensive statistics. They rank 9th with 23.2 assists allowed per contest and 3rd with 41.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Lakers are 25th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.1 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Mavericks are 1st in the league in defensive rating with 108.2, and their offensive rating of 116.4 is ranked 14th. They are 19th in the NBA in pace with 99.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 3rd. As a unit they are 3rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 45% of their shot attempts, ranking 2nd in the NBA. Dallas is 30th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 21st in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 12th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 23rd in the NBA. The Lakers are 8th in the league in defensive rating with 104.6, and their offensive rating of 111.5 is ranked 4th. They are 16th in the NBA in pace with 100.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 4th. As a unit they are 7th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 22nd in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Mavericks/Lakers NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Dallas +2

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