On Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 8:30 PM ET, the Los Angeles Lakers (20-21) will go head-to-head with the Dallas Mavericks (24-17), with the Lakers holding a 3.5-point advantage. Catch the action on ABC, SportsNet LA, and BSSW.
The Lakers are in the midst of a four-game home stretch, and their next challenge is against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. Seeking their second consecutive win, the Lakers are eager to secure a victory, notably as they haven’t defeated Dallas this season.
Lakers vs. Mavericks Match Info & Odds
Date: Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Time: 8:30 PM ET
How to Watch on TV: ABC, SportsNet LA, and BSSW
Live Stream: Watch this game on [Fubo](insert Fubo link here)
Location:Los Angeles, California
Venue: Crypto.com Arena
The Lakers had a strong performance in their recent game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, reminiscent of their In-Season Tournament (IST) victory. Every player contributed, making it a significant win that could boost their momentum.
Before the game, there was a notable change in the starting lineup, and the plan is to stick with it unless there are injuries. The goal is to have skillful players who can make shots, supporting LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Despite the positive showing in the last game, there’s uncertainty about whether this new starting lineup can maintain its performance in the long run. The Lakers need to figure out how to win more games while addressing any challenges that may arise with this lineup.
Lakers Performance Enlightenment
The Lakers are scoring an average of 114.1 points per game, placing them 18th in the NBA for offense. On the defensive end, they allow 115.5 points per game, ranking 16th.
In terms of grabbing rebounds, the Lakers are 21st in the league, securing about 43.1 boards per game. However, they allow 44.3 rebounds per game, placing them 20th.
In teamwork, the Lakers are performing well, ranking eighth with 27.7 assists per game.
Yet, they face challenges with ball control, committing about 13.9 turnovers per game (22nd in the league). Defensively, they force about 13 turnovers per game, ranking 19th.
When it comes to three-point shooting, the Lakers are struggling, making them the third-worst team with about 10.9 threes per game. Their shooting percentage from beyond the arc is 35.7%, placing them 20th in the NBA this season.
Mavericks Performance Enlightenment
The Mavericks are performing well in scoring, averaging 118.7 points per game, placing them seventh in the NBA for offense. However, their defensive side allows an average of 117.1 points, ranking them 19th.
In terms of rebounding, the Mavericks are 24th in the league, securing 41.9 rebounds per game. However, they face challenges, ranking third-worst in rebounds allowed with 46.4.
Regarding teamwork, the Mavericks are 23rd in the NBA with 25.2 assists per game.
Dallas excels in ball control, being the best in the league with only 11.6 turnovers per game. Defensively, they are seventh in turnovers forced with 13.8.
In three-point shooting, the Mavericks are the second-best team in the league, making an average of 15.2 threes per game. They also rank 13th in three-point percentage, shooting at 37.1%.
Can the Lakers’ starting team improve their weaknesses?
The main issues are with rebounding and defense, as evident in Monday’s game against the Thunder. The Lakers gave up 21 points and 13 rebounds to the Thunder, which isn’t ideal. Fortunately, the Thunder missed many of their three-point shots (34 out of 49). However, the Lakers allowed the Thunder to take 34 wide-open three-pointers, a common trend in Lakers’ games. The Lakers often give up the most wide-open three-pointers to their opponents. While it worked out for them on Monday, there are questions about whether this strategy is the best for the long run.