The Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks continue their four-game regular-season series, and the Mavs look for their fifth consecutive victory over the Lakers.
Lakers vs. Mavericks injuries: 3 Questionable, 2 Out
The Los Angeles Lakers (28-32; 28-30-2 ATS) have won three of their last four games. They beat the New Orleans Pelicans 120-102 and the Golden State Warriors 124-111 in their last two games. Last Thursday, in front of their own fans, the Lakers easily beat the NBA champions.
The Lakers are still 13th in the Western Conference, 1.5 games behind the No. 10 seed. They will probably miss D’Angelo Russell on Sunday because he hurt his ankle in the first quarter of the Warriors game. He was the second overall pick in the draft.
Russell had to leave Thursday’s Lakers game against Golden State because he stepped on Donte DiVincenzo’s foot. He didn’t come back into the game, and head coach Darvin Ham never thought Russell would be able to play against Dallas.
If he can’t play on Sunday, which seems most likely right now, Dennis Schroder would probably move into the starting lineup, and Austin Reaves and Lonnie Walker might get more playing time off the bench.
- Will James and AD playing today?
LeBron James (foot) is listed as probable for this game. James has pain in his left foot, but the fact that he is listed as probable suggests that he shouldn’t have any trouble playing Sunday against Luka Doncic and the Mavs.
In five games in February, the Lakers’ superstar averaged 25.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. He has been nothing but great in the past few weeks.
Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times says that Anthony Davis (foot) is likely to play against the Mavericks on Sunday.
AD has a stress injury in his right foot, but the fact that he’s been listed as “probable” means that he should be able to play against Dallas.
In eight games in February, the star big man has averaged 21.6 points, 13.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.9 blocks per game.
Lakers injuries:
- LeBron James (Foot) – Questionable
- Anthony Davis (Foot) – Questionable
- D’Angelo Russell (Ankle) – Questionable
Before the All-Star break, the Dallas Mavericks had lost three straight games (32-29, 22-36-3 ATS). They came back strong by beating the weak San Antonio Spurs 142-116 on Thursday.
- Luka Doncic – Ready
In 30 minutes, Luka Doncic scored 28 points (8-16 FG, 1-6 3P, 11-12 FT), grabbed seven rebounds, gave out 10 assists, blocked two shots, and stole two.
Doncic had trouble with his three-point shot in the first game after the All-Star break, but he made up for it by scoring well from inside the three-point line and at the free throw line.
The player who is in the running for MVP has now made at least 10 free throws in three straight games. During that time, he has averaged 32.7 points per game. Doncic also led his team with 10 assists, which was his most since January 14. He also scored multiple points in each defensive category for just the third time this season in the same game.
Overall, Doncic’s first game back was very good, but his performance could have been even better if the Spurs had kept the game close in the fourth quarter.
Mavericks injuries:
- Maxi Kleber (Hamstring) – Out
- Davis Bertans (Calf) – Out
