The Dallas Mavericks will look to continue their recent mastery over the Los Angeles Lakers when the teams meet in an NBA Western Conference matchup on Christmas Day. The Mavs (17-16), third in the Southwest Division, have won four of their last five meetings with Los Angeles, including two in a row. The Lakers (13-19), fifth in the Pacific Division, have dropped three straight. Dallas got a 50-point effort from Luka Doncic as it defeated Houston 112-106 on Friday, while the Lakers fell 134-130 to Charlotte.
Sunday's tip off from American Airlines Arena in Dallas is set for 2:30 p.m. ET. The Lakers are averaging 115.7 points per game this season, sixth-best in the league, while the Mavericks average 111, 23rd-best. Dallas is the 8.5-point favorite in the latest Lakers vs. Mavericks odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is set at 229.5. Before making any Mavericks vs. Lakers picks, be sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four-plus seasons. The model enters Week 10 of the 2022-23 NBA season on a stunning 28-12 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning almost $1,400. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Lakers vs. Mavs, and just locked in its Christmas Day NBA picks. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Mavs vs. Lakers:
- Lakers vs. Mavericks spread: Mavericks -8.5
- Lakers vs. Mavericks over/under: 229.5 points
- Lakers vs. Mavericks money line: Lakers +278, Mavericks -355
- LAL: The Lakers are 4-1 against the spread in their last five Sunday games
- DAL: The Mavericks are 6-0 ATS in their last six home games following a road trip of seven or more days
- Lakers vs. Mavericks picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Mavericks can cover
Point guard Spencer Dinwiddie has been on a roll of late, having reached double-digit scoring in each of his past 11 games. He scored 27 points and dished out 10 assists in a loss at Chicago on Dec. 10 for his only double-double on the year. He scored 19 points and added four rebounds and three assists in Wednesday's win at Minnesota. For the season, Dinwiddie is averaging 16.5 points, 5.1 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game.
Small forward Tim Hardaway Jr. has also been a difference-maker. In 31 games, including 14 starts, he is averaging 13.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 26.7 minutes per game. He has reached double-digit scoring in 18 games this year, including reaching 20 points eight times. He is a proven playmaker, recording three or more steals in a game three times this year and 23 in his career.
Why the Lakers can cover
Despite that, Dallas isn't a lock to cover the Lakers vs. Mavericks spread. That's because the Lakers are led by small forward LeBron James, who has scored 30 or more points in each of the last six games. He scored 34 points and dished out eight assists in Friday's loss to the Hornets. James recently passed Michael Jordan for sixth-place on the all-time assists list, and registered his 900th career win Dec. 2 at Milwaukee. He is the only player in league history with 10,000-plus points, 10,000-plus rebounds and 10,000-plus assists.
Also giving the Lakers offense a boost is guard Lonnie Walker IV. In 29 starts this season, Walker is averaging 15.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. Walker is hitting 47.1% of his shots from the floor, including 39.7% from 3-point range, and is an 87.7% free-throw shooter. He has reached double-digit scoring in four consecutive games, including 21 points against Washington on Dec. 18.
How to make Mavericks vs. Lakers picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 226 points. It has also generated an against-the-spread cashes in almost 70% of simulations. You can only get the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Lakers vs. Mavs? And which side of the spread hits in almost 70% simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that is up nearly $1,400 on all top-rated NBA picks this season, and find out.
