Los Angeles Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction: Lakers need Davis, Mavs are injury-ridden too

The NBA Postseason is going to arrive in some weeks and thus, the race toward both the top-six spots in each Conference and the four spots for the Play-in tournament. We are going through an important period that is only becoming more valuable with each game. And this is a game of high importance between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks.

The Lakers enter the contest after losing 110:114 against the Rockets despite a 24 points and seven-assist outburst by youngster Austin Reaves. The Lakers have two of their last three games but have eight victories in the last 12 games. All in all, just when it seems like the Lakers will hit the or get over the 50% win mark, they suffer a gut-wrenching loss or two. Anthony Davis’ injury hits hard because the team has been playing without LeBron James for more than three weeks and his return doesn’t look near. Without him, Davis has put up MVP numbers and since D’Angelo Russell has returned, he has shot the lights out. If Malik Beasley becomes more consistent that will be a big help for the Lakers.

A depleted Mavs without Irving and Doncic registered a 137:128 win in Overtime behind an inspiring 28 points and 13 rebounds outburst by Christian Wood. This broke a three-game losing streak but in the extended window, Dallas has lost nine of their 13 games which has reduced them to 35 losses and 35 wins. Despite acquiring Irving, things haven’t looked sweet, and injuries to Kyrie and Doncic have only worsened things. The defense has been a huge problem and a lack of frontline only exacerbates issues. Christian Wood has had a decent impact but he isn’t the type of player who can single-handedly transform the franchise, unlike Anthony Davis.

• Mavericks: OUT: Luka Doncic. Game-Time Decisions: Kyrie Irving, Markieff Morris, JaVale McGee;
• Lakers: OUT: LeBron James, Mo Bamba. PROBABLE: Anthony Davis.

• Expected Leading Scorers: Anthony Davis(32+ Points), D’ Angelo Russell(27+ Points);
• Expected Leading Rebounders: Anthony Davis(13+ Rebounds), Christian Wood(8-11 Rebounds);
• Expected Leading Playmakers: D’Angelo Russell(7+ Assists), Josh Green(5-7 Assists).

The Lakers have been in the groove but they are still not playing an elite squad. However, they run into a Mavericks team that has been struggling on the defensive squad. It will be interesting to see how the Lakers will respond here especially with Davis and Russell going ham. I predict a scoreline of 126:117 in favor of the Lakers.