All Lakers Expert Predictions For Dallas Matchup On Second Night Of Back-To-Back
Your 9-6 Los Angeles Lakers will hope to add on to their current three-game win streak tonight, while the visiting 9-5 Dallas Mavericks are looking to end their ongoing two-game losing streak. Something's got to give.
LA stars Anthony Davis and LeBron James will look to take down Dallas' ascendant All-Star backcourt of Luka Doncic and ex-LeBron teammate Kyrie Irving. Who will prevail? Here are our expert predictions for all your burning questions, courtesy of Alex Kirschenbaum, Noel Sanchez and Ricardo Sandoval.
Who will be LA's high scorer tonight?
Alex: Last night, in a hilarious blowout against the floundering Utah Jazz, Anthony Davis submitted a dominant performance. Tonight, against a more resilient (and healthier) frontcourt, it's possible he'll have to pass out to LeBron James a bit more. Then again, Dallas is starting a rookie center. I vote AD runs it back as the team's high scorer.
Noel: I’m betting on a big night from Anthony Davis today against the Mavericks. LeBron James has been the man as of late so I think it’s time AD flips the switch and dominates on both ends to give him a slight break.
Ricardo: If he’s playing tonight, I’m going with the younger of the superstar duo, Anthony Davis. Davis was LA’s leading scorer in their blowout win against the Utah Jazz, and he should be able to lead them to another victory against the Mavericks, even with their young, elusive big man, Dereck Lively II. I predict another 25+ points.
Which star Maverick guard will be more lethal against LA's defensively-challenged backcourt?
Noel: Luka Doncic always looks to step up against LeBron and the Lakers so even though Kyrie Irving has quietly been picking up his play late, Luka is the one LA has to really lock in on.Hot off of a big win against Utah, I predict the Lakers will get the victory.
Ricardo: Kyrie Irving and Luka Donic are possibly the best guard duo in the league. These guys could drop 40 together almost effortlessly, and the purple and gold will look to slow down this superstar duo. Tonight, though, it will be Luka to look out for. Luka is the best player on the team; he leads his team in all major categories outside blocks. Doncic can do everything on the court, and without Jarred Vanderbilt or Cam Reddish, it just got a lot more difficult.
Alex: Assuming Cam Reddish is unavailable tonight (he left in the first quarter of the Utah game with a groin injury), the Lakers will need Max Christie and Austin Reaves to step up defensively. Luka Doncic's size and weird pacing will be the tougher cover than Kyrie Irving's brilliance below the rim.
Dallas is a -3 favorite to steal one on the road. Can the host Lakers pull off the upset tonight?
Ricardo: After a hot start to the season, the Dallas Mavericks have lost three of their last five games. On the other hand, the Lakers have won six of their last seven games. The superstar duo is playing well, and I expect them to ride that momentum tonight. LA wins this game by 5-7 points.
Alex: This revamped Mavs club, thanks in part to its improved frontcourt with the additions of power forward Grant Williams and center Dereck Lively II (and, somehow, wing Derrick Jones Jr.), has been a totally different animal than the team that missed the play-in tournament last season. LA is playing on the second night of a back-to-back, and its two best players are old and injury-prone. Take Dallas to cover.
Noel: Hot off of a big win against Utah, I predict the Lakers will get the victory.
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