Just over six weeks since claiming a 118-97 triumph in the sides’ meeting earlier this year, the away side now have the opportunity to take a 2-0 lead over their hosts this term and wrap up a series victory.
Match preview
Preview: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks – prediction, team news, form guide
Largely underwhelming across his first three games in a Lakers jersey, Luka Doncic was back to the heights we have come to expect in his side’s emphatic 123-100 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.
Notching 32 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, Doncic was the main driving force for JJ Redick’s men at the Ball Arena in a game where fellow starters LeBron James (25), Austin Reaves (23) and Rui Hachimura (21) all tallied 20+ points.
Doncic’s return to form is a timely one for the Lakers as they prepare to welcome the Slovenian’s former employers for the first time since February’s blockbuster trade, which sent shockwaves around the league.
Off the back of consecutive losses either side of the break, the Lakers have now responded with back-to-back victories to move up to fourth in the Western Conference standings with games in hand on two of the three teams above them.
Wednesday’s clash against the visitors kicks off a five-game homestretch for the hosts, after which they will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans and the New York Knicks.
Preview: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks – prediction, team news, form guide
Doncic’s trade to Los Angeles sent Anthony Davis the other way, and the big man made a fine start to life in Dallas with 26 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists on his debut against the Houston Rockets but would go on to pick up an injury shortly afterwards.
In Davis’s absence, the Mavericks have lost two of their subsequent five outings either side of three wins on the bounce against the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat and the Pelicans.
Last time out, Jason Kidd’s men were comprehensively beaten 126-102 by the Warriors, who flew out of the blocks with a 15-point lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked like surrendering their advantage at any point.
Having dropped to eighth with the joint-most games played in the conference, the Mavericks will be looking anxiously over their shoulders in the coming weeks with a couple of teams around them starting to make up the gap.
Picking up just one victory from their last five away matches, the Mavericks have not fared well on their travels of late, but their record of three wins from the last four games as a visiting team against Wednesday’s opponents should offer some encouragement.
Los Angeles Lakers NBA form:
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Dallas Mavericks NBA form:
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Team News
Preview: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks – prediction, team news, form guide
Maxi Kleber is the Los Angeles Lakers’ injury concern for this one, as he remains unavailable for the next five weeks having had surgery on his right foot.
After both missing out against the Portland Trail Blazers, Doncic and Jarred Vanderbilt were back in action for the home side last time out and are expected to feature on Tuesday.
Dwight Powell and Caleb Martin are both nursing hip issues and are huge doubts for the Mavericks here, while Daniel Gafford still faces up to a month on the sidelines with a grade three right MCL sprain.
The away side will also be without the services of center Dereck Lively, who has not featured since the middle of January due to a right ankle stress fracture.
Anthony Davis will have to wait for a reunion with his former side as the 31-year-old nurses a right adductor strain, although he is not far off a return to action.
Los Angeles Lakers possible starting five:
Doncic, Reaves; James, Hachimura; Hayes
Dallas Mavericks possible starting five:
Irving, Exum; Thompson, Washington; Edwards
Preview: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks – prediction, team news, form guide
We say: Lakers to win by 6+ points
The Mavericks are dealing with an injury crisis at the moment, while the Lakers are almost at full strength for Wednesday’s encounter.
We fully expect the hosts to run out relatively routine winners when all is said and done.
