Key Points
- SJ breaks down her favorite player prop bets for the April 9 matchup featuring the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks
The day bettors have been waiting for has finally arrived! Although the NBA season is winding down, tonight will mark one of the most exciting, anticipated matchups of the season! The
Dallas Mavericks will host the
Los Angeles Lakers
tonight.
(Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
Luka Doncic will make his homecoming to Dallas for the first time as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. In February, Mavericks GM Nico Harrison struck a deal of the century. Lakers big man Anthony Davis was traded in exchange for Luka Doncic. Included in the blockbuster deal was Max Christie, who was shipped to Dallas.
As a bettor, I never expected the Mavericks and Lakers to deal their biggest stars, but here we are!
Having defeated the Mavericks 107-99 in the first game since the trade, the Lakers are 3.5 point spread favorites on the road. This time, former Laker Anthony Davis is expected to suit up tonight.
With questionable injuries on both sides, the stakes are equally high for the Lakers and Mavericks. The Western Conference is a tight race, given that the Lakers have a one-game lead over the Clippers, Nuggets, Warriors, and Grizzlies for the No. 3 seed. With just three games remaining, the Lakers can retain a high seed or find themselves as a Play-In Tournament team.
Given the Phoenix Suns conceded to the Warriors last night, the Mavericks hold a three game lead over Phoenix for the No. 10 and final Play-in spot. The next three games will be crucial for Dallas.
With emotions high, how will Luka Doncic's return to Dallas have bettors feeling?
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Odds Are Current As Of April 9 AT 9 A.M. ET
If you're looking to bet on the Lakers vs Mavericks game, welcome! With tip-off set for 7:30 p.m. et, the matchup will take place at American Airlines Center. A prime time matchup, the outing will air on ESPN.
With betting record of 30-15 in March, that included a 18-9 performance betting on the NBA. With the playoffs looming, let's stay hot!
Let's take a look at my three best betting picks and predictions for the April 9 NBA matchup featuring the Lakers and Mavericks. I've placed each player prop bet as single wagers within FanDuel and DraftKings Sportsbook.
NBA Bets: Los Angeles Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks Bet MGM Betting Odds For April 9
MONEYLINE
- LOS ANGELES LAKERS: -165
- DALLAS MAVERICKS: +135
SPREAD
- LOS ANGELES LAKERS: -3.5 (-110)
- DALLAS MAVERICKS: +3.5 (-110)
OVER/UNDER (TOTAL)
- OVER: 228.5 (-115)
- UNDER: 228.5 (-105)
Last Five H2H Matchups: Los Angeles Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks
- February 25, 2025: Lakers 107, Mavericks 99 (Dallas +8.5, under 231)
- January 7, 2025: Mavericks 118, Lakers 97 (Dallas +6, under 218)
- January 17, 2024: Lakers 127, Mavericks 110 (Lakers -3, under 244.5)
- December 12, 2023: Mavericks 127, Lakers 125 (Dallas +3, under 235)
- November 22, 2023: Mavericks 104, Lakers 101 (Dallas -1, under 244.5)
Los Angeles Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks Injury Report
LAKERS
- Rui Hachimura, F: Questionable (Knee)
- Bronny James, G: Questionable (Illness)
- Maxi Kleber, F: OUT
MAVERICKS
- Anthony Davis, F: Questionable (Adductor)
- Dante Exum, G: OUT (Hand)
- Jaden Hardy, G: OUT (Ankle)
- Kyrie Irving, G: OUT (Knee)
- Oliver-Maxence Prosper, F: OUT (Wrist)
Player Prop Best Bet #1: Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic 2024-2025 Season Stats
PPG: 27.6 | FG: 44.2 % | FT: 79.3 % | 3PT : 35.7 % | REB: 8.2 | AST: 7.7 | STL: 1.8 | BLK: 0.4
- Over 29.5 Points (-156 FanDuel)
My first bet for tonight, I placed one unit on Lakers star
Luka Doncic
to record over 29.5 points against the Dallas Mavericks.
Yes, you read that correctly, it doesn't feel quite right given Doncic spent his entire NBA career with the Mavericks. Now on the other side, Doncic will return to American Airlines Center.
- Although Doncic has already faced his former team once since the trade, Dallas is where he called home for seven seasons.
Emotions will be high tonight, and it's a must win for the Lakers. I will say Luka Doncic isn't a sure lock to lace up tonight, along with Austin Reaves and LeBron James. If he does, expect tonight to be pure cinema.
There's not doubt Dallas lost a pep in their step defensively after Kyrie Irving went down with an ACL tear. With that said, Spencer Dinwiddie hasn't lived up to the standards defensively.
- No. 415 in defensive rating, can Dinwiddie Klay Thompson and truly stop Doncic?
Ejected in Tuesday's game against OKC, the revenge game is in the cards for Doncic. With that, Doncic was limited to 23 points on 7-15 shooting.
Having scored 30+ points twice so far this month, I'm expecting a monumental performance tonight.
- Not to mention, dropping 30 on the Thunder is nothing to scoff at, they have en elite defense.
Since the trade, Doncic has become the Lakers leading scorer with 27.1 points per game, and leads the roster with 19.7 field goal attempts per game. May I add, he tops the squad in free-throws per game with 8.7 per game.
Let's not overthink this bet, Luka Doncic is one of the most prolific scorers in the NBA. Doncic has been phenomenal on the road, putting up 29.8 points on 38 percent 3-point shooting. Over the last 10 games alone, Doncic has averaged 28.1 points on 38.9 3-point shooting.
This player prop bet isn't a far stretch given Doncic has scored 30+ points in five of the last 10 games. Recording 19 points against his former team, it was just three games after the trade.
- Much more familiar with JJ Redicks' playbook, I doubt Doncic will have a repeat 1-7 performance from beyond the arc.
Overall, the Mavericks allow the ninth most points to guards in the NBA, in which saw James Harden light it up for 29 points.
Dallas has been horrendous, giving up the second most paint points to point guards. I'm sure that may shift a bit with Dereck Lively and Anthony Davis back in the lineup. Doncic is crafty, and will figure out a way to score anywhere tonight.
- Plus he has a prime matchup against the Lakers who give up the fifth most field goals to guards.
Final NBA Best Bet Pick and Prediction: Luka Doncic Over 29.5 Points (-156 FanDuel)
The Mavericks may have received reinforcements in the front court, but I don't see anyone stopping Doncic. It was could be the most anticipated matchup of all time, I'm not fading Doncic against his former team tonight.
- Give me Luka Doncic to score over 29.5 points tonight. Recording a triple-double in their last matchup against the Mavericks, expect Doncic to have a pristine night.
Player Prop Best Bet #2: Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis 2024-2025 Season Stats
PPG: 25 | FG: 51.8 % | FT: 77.6 % | 3PT : 29.1 % | REB: 11.6 | AST: 3.4 | STL: 1.2 | BLK: 2.1
- To record a double-double (-150 DraftKings)
My second best bet for tonight, I placed one unit on Mavericks big man
Anthony Davis
to record a double-double against the Lakers.
It's the first time Davis will face his former team, this time in Dallas. Listed probable to suit up, Davis has been hovering around 28-30 minutes per game since coming back from a groin injury.
Regardless of injury, Anthony remains one of the most prolific big men in the game.
- Tonight he gets to play is natural position at the four against a Lakers team with limited front court depth and strength.
Bettors can say Anthony Davis is officially back! Even under a minutes restriction, he's still managing to average 28.5 points per game this month. Plus, Davis is coming off a massive 27-point, nine-rebound performance against the Clippers.
If we look at the stats, Davis had a dominant 15-rebound night against the Hawks early in April.
- Aside from that performance, Davis has recorded 10+ rebounds in just two of eight games as a member of the Mavericks.
While Davis, Daniel Gafford, and Derick Lively have spent more time injured than anything, Davis is still the Mavericks leading rebounder (9.6 RPG). With a healthy trio of big men, there's no question Davis's rebounding numbers may take a hit. However, the Lakers allow the sixth most second chance points to forwards.
- Since the NBA All-Star break, the Lakers rank No. 16 in rebounding (43.6 RPG), and No. 21 in offensive boards.
Although they've improved inside, the Lakers still allow the 14th most paint points (49.4), and will face a interior heavy team.
Even through all the injuries and trades, Davis is putting up the 14th most double-doubles in the NBA. Through a limited 49 games played this season, the brow has 34 double-doubles.
- If you do that math, he's record a double-double in 69 percent of games.
Final NBA Best Bet Pick and Prediction: Anthony Davis To Record A Double-Double (-150 DraftKings)
I'm not worried from a points perspective, given Davis has scored 10+ points in seven straight games, and all but three this year. The Lakers allowed the 13th most points to forwards, and I do believe this is the game the Mavericks expose them on the interior.
Although Davis is versatile in stretching the floor, he should be able to handle Jaxson Hayes.
- I'm taking Anthony Davis to record a double-double against his former team tonight. Although on a minutes restriction, 28-30 minutes should be more than enough to soar over this prop.
Player Prop Best Bet #3: Max Christie
Max Christie 2024-2025 Season Stats
PPG: 9.4 | FG: 42.3 % | FT: 86.1 % | 3PT : 37 % | REB: 3.3 | AST: 1.9 | STL: 0.8 | BLK: 0.4
- Over 1.5 Made Threes (+140 DraftKings)
My third best bet for tonight, I placed one unit on Mavericks guard
Max Christie
to record over 1.5 made threes against the Lakers.
Set to face his former team, there's no doubt Christie has to fight for minutes of the bench. With players back and healthy, Jason Kidd has Caleb Martin and Daniel Gafford coming off the bench. Given Jaden Hardey is listed as out for tonight's contest should give Christie some more minutes.
Although his minutes have slightly declined since his arrival in Dallas, Christie is still recording a solid 25-28 minutes per game.
- Now with Kyrie Irving out for the season, and Dante Exum out, it's time for Christie to shine.
Sure, the Mavericks acquired one of the best big man Anthony Davis in the Luka Doncic in the trade. However, was Christie the steal of it all?
Averaging 10.9 points since his arrival in Dallas, Christie is now third on the Mavericks behind Thompson and Irving in 3-point attempts per game (4.7). Averaging 1.8 3-pointers per game, there's no doubt he's been struggling this month. Shooting 30.8 percent from beyond the arc, there are brighter days ahead.
Although Christies' shot volume has been a bit volatile to say the least, Hardy's absence should absolutely boost this prop.
- In fact, with tens games without Hardy, Christie has recorded 2+ 3-pointers in eight of them.
Final NBA Best Bet Pick and Prediction: Max Christie Over 1.5 Made Threes (+140 DraftKings)
Recording 10 points on 2-5 3-point shooting in his last meeting against the Lakers, Hardy didn't suit up for that game either. Also both teams are vastly different, the Lakers allow the fourth most 3-pointers to shooting guards.
Furthermore, the Lakers have allowed the 14th highest 3-point percentage among opponents (36.1 %), and 11th most trey balls per game.
- I'm taking Max Christie to record over 1.5 three-pointers tonight. Aside from Saturday's blowout loss against the Clippers, Christie totaled 24 shot attempts in two games this month.
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