2011 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals
#2 Los Angeles Lakers vs #3 Dallas Mavericks
Monday, May 2, 2011-Sunday, May 15, 2011
Best of Seven Series Format: 2-2-1-1-1
Series Price: Lakers -365 / Mavericks +305 (courtesy of bookmaker)
Game #1 Opening Line: Lakers -6
Game #1 Current Line: Lakers -6
Game #1 Opening Total: 189 1/2
Game #1 Current Total: 188 1/2
Game #1 Money Line: Lakers -280 / Mavericks +240
Series Schedule (All times Eastern)
Game 1 – Mon May 2, Dallas at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 2 – Wed May 4, Dallas at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 3 – Fri May 6, L.A. Lakers at Dallas, TBD, ESPN
Game 4 – Sun May 8, L.A. Lakers at Dallas, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/R
Game 5 * Tue May 10, Dallas at L.A. Lakers, TBD, TNT
Game 6 * Thu May 12, L.A. Lakers at Dallas, TBD, ESPN
Game 7 * Sun May 15, Dallas at L.A. Lakers, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Both these teams finished with identical 57-25 records during the regular season. The Lakers were seeded #2 in the west based on beating the Mavericks 2 out of 3 times during the regular season. In the first round the Lakers drew the New Orleans Hornets and the Mavericks played the Portland Trail Blazers. Both series were tied 2-2 after four games and both the Lakers and Mavericks won two straight to close out their foes in 6 games on the road. After sweeping the Hornets in the regular season 4-0, the Lakers lost the first game to the Hornets at home behind an incredible game from New Orleans point guard Chris Paul. However, the Lakers won 4 of the next 5 against the game but shorthanded Hornets who were playing without leading scorer forward David West. LA closed them out Thursday night in game 6 in New Orleans with a dominating 98-80 win.
Dallas was predicted by many to be upset by the talented Trail Blazers. However, Portland had no answer for Dirk Nowitzki who averaged over 27 points a game in the six games. Dallas won the first two games in Dallas. Portland rebounded for a game 3 win at home. Dallas was up 18 points going into the fourth quarter in game 4 but Portland came roaring back on the strength of Brandon Roy’s 24 points to win the game by 2 points. Many thought the Mavericks would fold after such a devastating loss, but the Mavericks responded with two straight wins including a difficult 103-96 win at Portland Thursday night to close them out. Before game six the home team had won every game in the 9 times Portland and Dallas met this season.
The Lakers are 7-3 straight up in the last 3 years against the Mavericks but the two teams are 5-5 ATS in those games. The over is 6-4 in those games. This season the Lakers are 2-1 versus Dallas. Dallas won at home January 19 109-100. Los Angeles won in Dallas March 12, 96-91. The Lakers won at the Staples Center March 31 110-82 in the only meeting in LA between the two teams this season. Dallas is 50-36 ATS in all games this season, including 28-16 on the road, 30-16 versus teams with winning records this season, and 16-5 in road games versus teams scoring 99 points a game or more. The Lakers are 87-104 ATS in the last two seasons in all games, including 75-89 as a favorite. The Lakers are 16-28 ATS in all homes games this season.
Dallas has been playing without forward Caron Butler since early January, who is out with a knee injury. There was a chance he would be ready to come back for this series but Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said it doubtful he will play in this series. Butler is officially listed as expected to miss the series. Guard Dominique Jones is also out indefinitely for the Mavericks. During the playoffs as during the regular season the Mavericks were led by future hall-of-famer Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitzki averaged 27.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3 assists a game in the series against Portland. Jason Terry averages 17.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1 steal a game off the bench for the Mavericks. Point Guard Jason Kidd is averaging 11.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.3 steals a game during the Playoffs. He is leading the team in assists and steals. Forward Shawn Marion is averaging 10.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2 assists a game for the Mavs. Center Tyson Chandler is averaging 6.5 points and is leading the team in rebounds with 9.5 a game. Dallas outscored Portland 93-88 in the playoffs. Dallas averaged 39.7 rebounds a game, along with 19 assists a game.
Center Theo Ratliff and guard Devin Ebanks are both out indefinitely for the Lakers. KObe Bryant sprained his ankle in game 4 against New Orleans, and is still limping, but he is listed as probable against Dallas for game 1. Kobe is averaging 22.5 points, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals a game during the playoffs. Andrew Bynum tweaked his knee again but averaged 15.2 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks a game against the Hornets. Power forward Pau Gasol struggled at times with his shooting touch in the first round but is still averaging 13.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.3 blocks a game. NBA 6th man of the year Lamar Odom averaged 12 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists off the bench for the Lakers. Ron Artest is averaging 11.8 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists a game. Derek Fisher is averaging 9.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1 steal a game. No other Laker averaged more than 5.8 points a game in the series against New Orleans.
These are two veteran teams laden with All Stars and future hall-of-famers. In the series against New Orleans Kobe Bryant had to guard Chris Paul for most of the series as Derek Fisher simply wasn’t fast enough anymore to guard Paul for the whole game. In this series it will be a little easier for the Lakers defensively as Fisher can guard Kidd. The mavericks have the depth and size to play on the Laker’s weaknesses. We know the two superstars Dirk and Kobe will get theirs, but this series will come down whether Tyson Chandler and Brendon Haywood can compete with the Laker big men Gasol, Bynum, and Odom. It won’t be easy for the Lakers but I think they win a tough series.
SERIES PREDICTION: LAKERS IN SIX
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