Lakers Mavs Odds

Posted by Jimmy Boyd - Google+

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The Dallas Mavericks (36-37) have a prime opportunity to make up ground in the Western Conference playoff race when they face the Los Angeles Lakers (38-36) Tuesday night. The game tips off from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California at 10:30 pm ET and will be nationally televised as part of a doubleheader on TNT, in addition to regional coverage on TWC SN. The Lakers are currently favored by 3 points with the over/under set at 207 points.

Dallas

The Mavericks get a second crack at reaching the .500 mark for the first time since December 12 thanks to a 100-98 win over Chicago on Saturday afternoon. Dirk Nowitzki led four Mavericks in double figures with 35 points. Brandan Wright (13 rebounds) and Vince Carter each added 17 off the bench while Shawn Marion contributed 10 points for Dallas. Dallas shot 50.6 percent from the floor in the victory, helping overcome the fact that Chicago hit 12 three pointers.

Dallas is 7^th in the league in scoring, averaging 101.4 points per game. Nowitzki leads six Mavericks in double figures, scoring 17.4 points per game this year. Mayo adds 16.1 points a game, Carter puts up 13.3 points and 4 rebounds a game off the bench at age 36, while Darren Collison chips in 12.2 points and a team-high 5.2 assists per night. Marion (11.5 points, team-high 7.8 rebounds) still gets it done at both ends and Chris Kaman (10.7 points, 5.4 rebounds) has seen his playing time cut in recent weeks after returning from a concussion.

The Mavericks have a mix of youth and experience on the bench, with Jae Crowder and Wright working with players such as Elton Brand and Carter to give Dallas a formidable group of reserves. Dallas has defensive woes; they are 27^th in the league in scoring defense as opponents put up 102.2 points a night.

Los Angeles

The Lakers won for just the second time in six games, beating Sacramento 103-98 Saturday. Dwight Howard led six Lakers in double figures with 24 points and 15 rebounds. Kobe Bryant narrowly missed a triple-double with 19 points, 14 assists and nine rebounds, Steve Blake added 15, Jodie Meeks had 14, Pau Gasol (12 points, 10 rebounds) contributed a double-double of his own and Antawn Jamison scored 10. The Lakers shot 46.3 percent from the floor, including 10 of 30 from three point range but committed just 7 turnovers.

The Lakers are 6^th in the league in scoring offense, averaging 102.4 points per game this season. They have five players in double figures, led by Bryant, whose 27.1 points per game are third in the league. Howard (16.6 points, league-high 12.7 rebounds) is putting up a double-double down low, World Peace is averaging 12.8 points per game and Nash still runs the offense, contributing 12.7 points and a team-high 6.7 assists per game. Gasol returned from his injury last week and is contributing 13 points and 7.9 rebounds per night.

The Lakers have a short rotation; after Earl Clark, Meeks and Jamison, there’s little to talk about. The Lakers are 26^th in the league in scoring defense, allowing opponents to score 101.5 points per game.

Head to Head Matchup

The Lakers have owned the all-time series between the teams, boasting a 103-32 lead. Los Angeles has won 16 of the last 20 games between the teams, including two of three this season.

About the Author: Jimmy Boyd is known for his consistency. He's a proven winner in college and pro football, college and pro basketball and pro baseball. He finished as the No. 1 ranked MLB handicapper in 2007 by earning $1,000/game bettors $50,050. He also finished as the No. 1 ranked basketball handicapper in the 2008-09 season, profiting $1,000/game bettors 38,530. His basketball plays have banked $1,000/game bettors nearly $80,000 the last five years. Check out Jimmy's premium picks for tonight!

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