- What: NBA Regular Season Game
- When: April 9, 2025
- Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks
- Time: 4:30 p.m. PST
- Where: American Airlines Center (Dallas, TX)
The Los Angeles Lakers (48-31) will play the Dallas Mavericks (38-41) on Wednesday at the American Airlines Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The season series is tied at 1-1. A major storyline is guard Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas after his surprising trade to Los Angeles in February.
Since the trade, Doncic has played against the Mavericks once, posting a triple-double with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists in the Lakers’ 107-99 victory on February 25.
The Mavericks, an underdog by 8.5 points, managed to cover the spread, and the game ended with a total of under 231 points.
The Lakers are coming off a split in their recent back-to-back games against the Oklahoma City Thunder. They secured a win on Sunday, dominating 126-99 as 9-point underdogs, while the total points went under 230.5.
However, they lost on Tuesday, falling 136-120 as 9.5-point underdogs, with the total points going over 231.
Doncic had impressive scoring performances, with 30 points in the win and 23 in the loss, while LeBron James contributed 19 points in the win and 28 in the loss.
The Lakers have been on a scoring surge lately, with the Over hitting in three of their last four games. They’ve scored at least 120 points in each of the last three outings.
The Mavericks, coming off a back-to-back, were swept by the LA Clippers, losing 114-91 as 12-point underdogs on Friday and 135-104 as 9.5-point underdogs on Saturday.
The total went over (221) on Saturday and hit under (225) on Friday. Dallas is 1-3 straight up (SU) and 0-4 against the spread (ATS) in their last four games, with the under having a slight 3-2-1 edge in their last six.
Former Lakers forward Anthony Davis, traded for Doncic in February, missed Friday’s game but scored 27 points and grabbed 9 rebounds on Saturday.
He is probable for Wednesday’s matchup due to an adductor issue and missed the previous meeting against the Lakers on February 25 due to injury.
Despite losing twice to the Clippers, the Mavericks have a chance to bounce back against the Lakers tonight at home, where they’ve excelled this season.
With the Lakers fatigued from playing back-to-back games and the Mavericks missing Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis’s return could be crucial.
Dallas has the advantage in the paint, with Gafford and Davis providing strong defense.
The Lakers are currently last in the league for points allowed in the paint over their last ten games and rank 27th in defensive rating.
This should be a competitive game, so taking the points with the Mavericks looks favorable. The Mavericks cover the 4.5 point spread in this one.
Best Bet: Mavs +4.5 points at -105 odds
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Tony Reyes is a sports betting analyst and reporter for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X @TonyParlay.
