Lakers vs. Mavericks prediction, odds, line, spread, time: 2024 NBA picks, Jan. 17 best bets by proven model
The Los Angeles Lakers (20-21) link up in a Western Conference battle against the Dallas Mavericks (24-17) on Wednesday night. The Mavs have won two of their last three games. On Monday, Dallas defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 125-120. Los Angeles snapped its two-game losing streak, knocking off the Oklahoma City Thunder 112-105 on Monday. LeBron James (ankle) is listed as questionable for Los Angeles, while Luka Doncic (ankle) is questionable for Dallas.
Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Los Angeles is the 3.5-point favorite in the latest Mavericks vs. Lakers odds via SportsLine consensus. The over/under for total points is 243.5. Before making any Lakers vs. Mavericks picks, you need to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer 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 five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 13 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 42-23 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Lakers vs. Mavs and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Mavs vs. Lakers:
- Lakers vs. Mavericks spread: Los Angeles -3.5
- Lakers vs. Mavericks over/under: 243.5 points
- Lakers money line: Los Angeles -167, Dallas +141
- LAL: The Lakers have hit the game total Under in 31 of their last 46 games at home
- DAL: The Mavericks have hit the 1Q game total Under in 19 of their last 27 games
- Lakers vs. Mavericks picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Lakers can cover
James continues to be an impactful playmaker. The four-time NBA champion scans the floor well as a playmaker. He leads the team in assists (7.5) with 24.7 points and 7.2 rebounds. In his last game, he notched 25 points, seven boards and six assists.
Forward Anthony Davis is an exceptional two-way force in the frontcourt. Davis uses his length to consistently swat shots and pile up boards. The Kentucky product can also score at the rim with ease and owns a smooth jumper. He leads the team in both scoring (25.1) and rebounds (12.2). On Monday against the Thunder, Davis finished with 27 points and 15 boards. See which team to pick here.
Why the Mavericks can cover
Guard Kyrie Irving is an explosive ball handler and scorer who has the quickness to blow past defenders and is an acrobatic finisher around the rim. Irving averages 25.8 points, five rebounds and 5.4 assists per game. In Monday's win over the Pelicans, he dropped 42 points, seven boards and seven assists.
He's scored 33-plus points in five straight games. Forward Tim Hardaway Jr. is a nice perimeter asset for the Mavericks. He can score off the dribble or put the ball on the deck when needed. The Michigan product logs 18.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Hardaway Jr. dropped 24-plus points in three straight games. In his last outing, he totaled 41 points and made nine 3-pointers. See which team to pick here.
How to make Mavericks vs. Lakers picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the total, projecting 223 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits over 60% of the time. You can only see the model's picks at SportsLine.
