Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers visit Dallas on Saturday night for a massive, nationally televised matchup.
Anytime Doncic returns to Dallas, it will be an emotional night after he spent seven years in Dallas before being traded. This adds extra intensity to your Lakers vs Mavericks predictions, making this one of the best regular-season games of the season.
Anthony Davis will be unable to suit up for the Mavericks in this matchup, leaving Dallas out of options to keep up with the Lakers’ talent. Kyrie Irving, Davis, Dereck Lively, Daniel Gafford, and PJ Washington are all expected to miss this matchup, leaving Dallas devoid of talent on either end of the court.
The Mavericks still have a roster with some of the best hoopers in the world, and if they get hot from three-point range, they could pull off a stunning upset.
Will Dallas be able to spoil Doncic’s homecoming, or will the star power for Los Angeles allow them to power to a win? Let’s jump into your Mavericks vs Lakers predictions to find out.
Matchup: Mavericks vs Lakers Overview
- Teams: Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers
- Date: Saturday, January 24th, 2026
- Time: Tip-off is at 8:30 PM EST or 9:30 PM local time
- Venue: American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas
Win Probabilities
The NBA win probabilities give the Los Angeles Lakers a slight edge on the road. Los Angeles has been inconsistent over the last several weeks, but the lengthy injury report for the Mavericks has them with a 44.23% chance to prevail.
On the other hand, Los Angeles has a 55.77% chance of picking up a crucial road victory according to the NBA win probabilities.
Projected Final Score
The projected final score can be calculated using insights from recent NBA games, along with expert NBA picks and predictions.
For the upcoming matchup between the Lakers and Mavericks, the projected final score is Los Angeles Lakers 115-109 Dallas Mavericks.
Mavericks vs Lakers Odds
A healthy Dallas Mavericks side would likely be home favorites against the Lakers, but the Dallas roster for this matchup will be far from that.
The Mavericks are missing four of their five starters, and are home underdogs on the NBA’s basketball odds as a result. Their defense has allowed them to stay within striking distance of the NBA play-in tournament, but their offense has been destroyed by injuries.
For the odds on the total points, the total is much lower than usual thanks to strong defense and a slow-paced offense from both teams.
Expert Prediction: Who Wins?
Why the Dallas Mavericks Could Win
The Dallas Mavericks have home-court advantage in this one, a factor that has been a big part of their success this season. The Mavericks have gone 13-11 at home this year, compared to an abysmal 5-14 on the road. There will undoubtedly be a rowdy atmosphere in Dallas with Doncic coming to town, which could give the Mavericks an even greater home-court advantage.
On the court, Dallas will only win this game if it can play lockdown defense. Shutting down a player of Doncic’s caliber is never easy, and if the Mavericks shift too much defensive attention his way, the Lakers still have LeBron James waiting in the wings.
Dallas has the sixth-best defensive rating this season, which is incredibly impressive given the team’s extensive injury list. Cooper Flagg has been remarkable in his rookie season, and while his offensive numbers haven’t been eye-catching, his consistent work on the defensive end has been noticeable.
Defense is only one half of the equation for Dallas, as they will need to score the basketball to pull off this upset.
Klay Thompson has a long history of tormenting the Lakers during his days with Golden State, and his impact off the bench has been one of the few positives this season. Thompson is still capable of hitting triples with his eyes closed, and the Lakers’ poor three-point defense will be on display.
If the NBA odds heavily favor the Lakers, which they will, taking the Mavericks in the home underdog role could be an excellent Lakers vs Mavericks prediction.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers Could Win
The Los Angeles Lakers are getting healthy, they are right in the middle of the Western Conference playoff race, and they’ll see this as a crucial opportunity to pick up a road win.
Los Angeles will not be worried about Dallas’s 13-11 home record this season, as they have gone a sparkling 14-8 away from home this season. Their play on both ends of the court has remained consistent this year, regardless of the venue.
Against the top NBA teams, the Lakers have no choice but to buckle down on defense and put in maximum effort to win. However, the long list of injuries for Dallas, combined with the Mavericks’ defensive focus, means the Lakers will be more focused on pumping up their 7th-ranked offense instead.
Los Angeles can outscore their defensive woes against the bottom-feeders, and the current Dallas roster certainly fits in that category. As long as their stars suit up and Doncic can keep his emotions in check, this is the Lakers game to lose.
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How to Make Dallas Mavericks vs Los Angeles Lakers Picks
The answer to how to make Dallas Mavericks vs Los Angeles Lakers picks is the easiest one of the day, as Sportzino’s live sportsbook odds make it the clear choice.
Sportzino offers NBA odds on spreads, totals, and moneylines for every game this season, and is the perfect place to make your Mavericks vs Lakers predictions. In addition, Sportzino also has hundreds of NBA player props for this matchup, making it the ideal destination for all your NBA picks and predictions.
