Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers
Staples Center – Los Angeles, California
Sunday, April 15, 2012, 3:30 pm Eastern, TV: ABC
Opening Line: Lakers -2
Current Line: Lakers -2
Opening Total: 190 1/2
Current Total: 189
Opening Money Line: Lakers -135 / Mavericks +115
Current Money Line: Lakers -130 / Mavericks +110
The 38-22 Los Angeles Lakers have won 3 games in a row despite being without Kobe Bryant for the last 4 games. Bryant is likely out today as well with a shin injury. Some are saying Bryant’s injury isn’t serious and now that he basically has the scoring title wrapped up he is resting up to heal some nagging injuries before the playoffs. However, ESPN Ric Bucher reported that Kobe would be playing if he could, and the shin injury is causing him a lot of pain. The Lakers, coached by Mike Brown, lead the Clippers by a game for the Pacific Division title and the #4 seed in the Western Conference. The Lakers clinched a playoff spot Friday night with a 103-97 home win over Denver.
Next up for the Lakers is a home game against the Dallas Mavericks Sunday afternoon. The 34-26 Mavericks, coached by Rick Carlisle, are currently the #6 seed in the West 1.5 games ahead of Houston and Denver, and 1.5 games behind Memphis for the #5 seed. The Mavericks have won 3 straight games including a 97-94 win at Portland Friday night.
The Lakers have won all 3 meetings against Dallas this year after the Mavericks swept them in the Western Conference semifinals last year en route to their first NBA title. The Lakers won in LA 73-70 January 16, in Dallas February 22 96-91, and 109-93 March 21 at Dallas. The two teams would play against each other in the first round of the playoffs right now, but things could change with around 6 games to play.
Dallas is outscoring opponents 95-94 this season. The Mavericks are #8 in points allowed in the league. Dallas is shooting 44.2% from the field and 33.6% from 3 point range. The Mavericks make 75.7% from the free throw line. Dallas averages 42.8 rebounds a game with a rebounding margin of -1.0. The Mavs average 21.1 assists, 14.1 turnovers, 8.6 steals, and 5.3 blocks a game. Dallas opponents are shooting 43.2% from the field and 33.8% from 3 point range. The Mavericks are in the top 10 in both categories. Dallas forces 14.9 turnovers a game.
Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki averages 21.2 points to lead the team, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. Shooting guard Jason Terry averages 14.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals a game. Small forward Shawn Marion averages 11 points, 7.4 rebounds to lead the team, 2.2 assists, and 1 steal a game. Vince Carter, Delonte West, Rodrigue Beaubois, Brandan Wright, and Jason Kidd also contribute to the scoring. Wright leads the Mavericks in blocks with 1.3 a game. Kidd leads the team in assists with 5.4 and steals with 1.8 a game. Beaubois is questionable with a calf injury.
The Lakers are outscoring opponents 97-95 this season. LA is shooting 45.8% from the field and 32.3% from 3 point range. The Lakers are #7 in field goal percentage. LA makes 75.5% of their free throws. The Lakers are #2 in rebounding averaging 46.2 a game with a rebounding margin of +5.5. Los Angeles averages 22.1 assists, 15.2 turnovers, 5.8 steals, and 5.4 blocks a game. Laker opponents are shooting 43.2% from the field and 34.1% from 3 point range. The Lakers are in the top 10 in both categories. LA forces 11.3 turnovers a game.
Guard Kobe Bryant leads the league in scoring averaging 28.1 points, along with 5.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals a game to lead the team. Center Andrew Bynum averages 18.6 points, 12.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 2 blocks a game. He leads the Lakers in rebounds and blocks. Bynum is #3 in rebounding in the NBA Forward Pau Gasol averages 17.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.4 blocks a game. He is #7 in rebounding in the league. Newly acquired point guard Ramon Sessions (traded from Cleveland last month) averages 11.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 5.7 assists to lead the team. Matt Barnes, Metta World Peace, and Steve Blake also get significant minutes. Guard Christian Eyenga is out indefinitely with a toe injury.
LA is 25-35 ATS and the total is 32-27-1 this season. Dallas is 30-30 ATS and the total is 29-31 this season. The road team is 15-6-1 ATS recently in this series. Dallas is 5-2 ATS overall against the Lakers, and 9-2 at the Staples Center. Four of the last five games have gone over the total. The Mavericks are 4-1 ATS after failing to cover, 22-9 as a road underdog of 4.5 points or less, 19-8-1 as an underdog, 36-16-2 as a road underdog, 2-6 against Pacific division teams, 1-4 after a straight up win, and 0-4 in Sunday games. The Lakers are 4-1 ATS as a home favorite of 4.5 points or less, 17-40 at home against teams with losing road records, 8-20 on one day rest, 3-8 after a straight up win, 8-23 as a favorite, 4-12 against Western Conference teams, 3-10 overall, and 2-7 after a cover, 1-4 against Southwest teams, 1-10 as a home favorite, 0-4 in Sunday games, and 0-7 after scoring 100 points or more.
The Lakers have gone 3-1 without Kobe including impressive wins at San Antonio and at home against Denver. Both teams are fighting for playoff position. Yes, Kobe is obviously the franchise, but they still have all-star caliber players in Bynum and Pau Gasol, and Sessions is definitely an upgrade over a washed-up Derek Fisher at the point. I like the Lakers to continue their winning streak, though Dallas will keep it close.
