NBA on Christmas: Lakers vs. Mavericks Picks, Odds, and Best Bets

Lakers and Mavericks are playing each other on Christmas. Dallas is clinging onto a play-in spot and a .500 record. Los Angeles is trying to fight its way up the standings and is without Anthony Davis. The Mavericks split a two-game set with the Timberwolves earlier this week and are on the road Friday against the Rockets. Dorian Finney-Smith is out for Friday’s game.

Lakers are 1-2 since Davis went down with a stress injury in his foot and 2-4 without him overall. Davis leads the team in points (27.4), rebounds (12.1), blocks (2.3), and steals (1.2). L.A. is in the bottom third of the league in offensive rating.

Dallas Mavericks are the third-best team in three-pointers made per game (14.8), while the Lakers are dead last (9.9). Dončić is scoring more than 30 points per night and dishing nearly nine assists. Dallas is top 10 in offensive rating and will get occasional blow-up performances from Christian Wood, Spencer Dinwiddie or Tim Hardaway Jr. without Davis.

Lakers have won two of their last six games against the Mavericks. Dallas has won the other four, twice by double digits. The Mavericks have the clear upperhand in this matchup. Los Angeles is better at covering the spread.