The Lakers (26-17) will continue their road trip in Dallas, where they will face the Mavericks (19-26). LA looks to get back in the win column by snapping Dallas’ current four-game winning streak.
Start time and TV schedule
Who:
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks
When: 5:30 p.m. PT, Jan. 24
Where: American Airlines Center
Watch: ABC
The theme that has been evident in the Lakers’ current road trip thus far has been being in comeback games. They successfully came back against the Nuggets thanks to their improved defense and energy in the second half, but it wasn’t the same script against the Clippers.
This is something they’ve done often this season, where they allow themselves to get punched early in the game and when it looks like they’re about to fold, they trim the lead to within striking distance and oftentimes have escaped with the victory.
After all, they’re 13-2 in clutch games this season and that says a lot about this team’s penchant for cramming their way to victory.
But, as commendable as it is to be a really good clutch-time performing team, at one point, do the Lakers dominate an opponent?
On Saturday, let’s see if they can buck the trend of getting down and rallying back and just outright beat Dallas.
This will also be the second time Dončić returns to his former home base since the blockbuster trade last February.
Expect this one to be another emotional game for the 26-year-old, who often and rightfully talks about how special his seven-year tenure was with the Mavericks.
The Mavericks may have lost Anthony Davis to injury, but they’re playing well right now.
They’ve strung together four straight quality wins, including their most recent victory against the Warriors. This is a team that will definitely attempt to throw the first punch on the purple and gold, and it’s up to the latter to take it well and fight back early. Given that Dončić is back in his old playground, it’s fair to expect him to be more aggressive and fired up in this one from the get-go.
Outside of Dončić and obviously LeBron James, the Lakers’ role players also need to step up. In the loss to the Clippers, JJ Redick said the team didn’t pass the ball well, a consistent theme in all their defeats this season.
The Mavericks are the opposite of the Lakers in the sense that they’re very good on defense but atrocious on offense. So this game will be a clash of styles, and the team that performs best at what they do best will be the one to come out on top. Let’s see if that team will be the Lakers in Dončić‘s return to Dallas.
Notes and Updates
- The last time these two teams faced off was back in November of last year, when the Lakers crushed the Mavericks in the fourth quarter to seal the win. They were also trailed at halftime and gave up 40 points in the second quarter to the Mavericks. The Mavs were led by Cooper Flag, who had 13 points and a career-high 11 assists. It was one of his best games of the season as well. Expect another strong performance from the rookie in this one.
- As for the injury report, the Lakers note Austin Reaves (left calf strain) and Adou Thiero (right MCL sprain) are listed as out.
- For the Mavericks, Daniel Gafford (ankle), Anthony Davis (finger), Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery), Kyrie Irving (knee) and Dante Exum (knee injury) are out.
- Moussa Cisse (illness) is questionable while Daniel Gafford (right ankle sprain) is probable.
You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.
