The Los Angeles Lakers are set to face the Dallas Mavericks in their second-to-last road game of the regular season, hoping to bounce back from a tough loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday. With just a few games left, the Lakers are aiming for their 49th win and to solidify their grip on the No. 3 seed in the competitive Western Conference.
This matchup holds emotional weight, especially for Lakers star Luka Doncic and Mavericks forward Anthony Davis, who will be facing his former team for the first time since the blockbuster trade that sent shockwaves through the NBA. Davis is currently listed as probable on the injury report, and all signs point to him suiting up in this high-stakes showdown.
If he plays, it will mark Davis’ 50th appearance this season and his eighth game in a Mavericks uniform. Since joining Dallas, he’s been steadily regaining form following an adductor injury. In seven games with his new team, the 32-year-old is averaging 20.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.5% from the field in just under 29 minutes per game. In his most recent outing—a loss to the Clippers on April 5—Davis impressed with 27 points, nine rebounds, and a steal in 27 minutes.
The Lakers currently sit at 48-31, holding the No. 3 spot in the West, while the Mavericks are in ninth place at 38-41. Oddsmakers have the Lakers favored on the road, with a -3.5 point spread.
Dallas has struggled in tight games, going 5-8 in one-possession contests, and holds a 23-27 record against Western Conference opponents. Meanwhile, the Lakers have excelled in intra-conference matchups with a 34-15 record. On defense, L.A. ranks sixth in the West, allowing 112.4 points per game and keeping opponents to just 46.4% shooting. Both teams are 5-5 over their last 10 games, with the Lakers averaging 118.2 points, 40.7 rebounds, 24.5 assists, 6.6 steals, and 3.4 blocks while shooting 48.3% from the floor during that stretch.
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