Mavericks At Lakers Preview: A Bettors Perspective
Jan 16th, 2012 by PJ LaFerla
Betting Line:
Dallas Mavericks (+3.5)
Los Angeles Lakers (-3.5)
Over/Under 183.5
Game Time 10:35 EST
My utter and complete dominance picking winners since I started writing for basketball-betting.com continued last night as I nailed the OVER in the Warriors/Pistons game. I have produced all winners (with the exception of a push) and no losers with every one of my predictions since the beginning of January – and see no reason why this streak will not continue as we move forward. We have a full board of games on this Monday as the NBA honors Dr. Martin Luther King by scheduling games all throughout the day. For me, the winner comes from the last game scheduled as the Los Angeles Lakers play host to the Dallas Mavericks.
GAME ANALYSIS:
Emotionally it really doesn’t get better than this match-up. Dallas (8-5) embarrassed the Lakers (9-5) last year by sweeping them out of the playoffs on their quest to become NBA Champions. Add to this fact, you have a bitter Lamar Odom who is still scratching is head as to why the Lakers not only traded him, but handled it the way they did. On the other side you have what seems to be a possessed Kobe Bryant who has scored 40 + points in four straight games and is playing like a man who is 23 not 33 – with a chip on his shoulder wanting to prove the Lakers are still a force in the West.
WHO TO BET ON?
The Mavericks got off to a slow start, but have turned it around coming into this game, having won five straight and seven of eight and are clicking on all cylinders. More importantly against the spread the Mavericks are 9-4 compared to a meek 7-7 by the Lakers. In the early going both teams points for and points against numbers are nearly identical, but the oddsmakers are giving a slight edge to the Lakers in this game – no doubt for being at home. They have obviously noticed the Lakers are 8-1 SU and 6-3 against the spread when playing at Staples Center this season.
I believe the Lakers have turned into a one man-band and go as Kobe goes. It’s true, they have sorta been known to have that identity for years, but I think this year it will be displayed more than in recent seasons. Meanwhile, the Mavericks play more as a complete unit, getting everyone involved and are a much better overall team than the Lakers. For this reason, you will see the Mavericks dominate the Lakers tonight – much like the way they did in last years western semi-finals. Look for the Lakers to lose for only the second time at home this season and the Mavericks to continue their winning streak by picking up a win on the road in Los Angeles.
The Mavericks win this game outright!
SOME OTHER INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THIS GAME:
~ The Lakers are 29-28 against the spread versus the Mavericks since 1996.
~ The Lakers are 41-19 straight up against the Mavericks since 1996.
~ The Mavericks are 16-14 against the spread versus the Lakers since 1996.
~ The Mavericks are 7-4 straight up against the Lakers over the last 3 seasons.
~ The total has gone OVER in 7 of 11 games in this series over the last 3 seasons.
Prediction:
Mavericks 99, Lakers 93
PJ Laferla is a practicing freelance writer, professional handicapper, and the founder of SportsInput.com. If you are interested in hiring PJ Laferla for freelance writing or for winning picks against the spread, please submit all inquires to PJ@sportsinput.com.