The Los Angeles Lakers are desperate, and they will be kicking themselves after their close loss to the Houston Rockets — a clash they should have aced. Now, they have another chance to make things right when they host a short-handed Dallas Mavericks at the Crypto.com Arena on Friday.
With Luka Doncic ruled out and Kyrie Irving questionable, the Mavericks will face a tough test against the Lakers, who have been playing impressive basketball without LeBron James.
On the other hand, the likes of Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell will be keen to continue their good run and get the ninth-seeded Lakers a rung above with 12 games left in the season.
The Lakers have made it clear that every game is a must-win, and the opportunity to win against an undermanned Mavericks side will see them inch closer to the .500 mark. Their opponents have the tough task of keeping their heads over the water in what has been a stacked Western Conference standings as the regular season inches to a close.
With this, here is a look at the injury reports from both camps, the expected starters, and the predictions.
Los Angeles Lakers Expected Lineups And Injuries Updates
Not much has changed for the Lakers as far as their injury report goes. James and Mo Bamba will continue to be on the sidelines. Davis has been listed as probable but will suit up in all likelihood.
The projected starters for the Lakers would be D’Angelo Russell (G), Malik Beasley (G), Troy Brown Jr. (F), Jarred Vanderbilt (F), and Anthony Davis (C).
Dallas Mavericks Expected Lineups And Injuries Updates
The Mavericks will be without the services of Doncic and Irving. Also missing out according to ESPN’s updated injury report are Tim Hardaway Jr. (calf) and JaVale McGee (ankle). Markieff Morris (soreness) is listed as questionable.
Jaden Hardy (G), Josh Green (G), Reggie Bullock (G), Maxi Kleber (F), and Christian Wood (C) will be likely to take the floor as the starting five for Dallas.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks Predictions
Technically, this is the Lakers’ game to lose. They come into this clash as bonafide favorites despite losing their last game against the Rockets.
They will have to be wary of Hardy and Green who have done their best to keep the Mavericks’ offense churning in Doncic and Irving’s absence. But their defense at Vanderbilt and Davis is more than well-equipped.
Dallas has only won six of their nine games since the blockbuster Irving trade and is now with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the seventh seed in the West.
While they may be two rungs above the Lakers, they aren’t out of the woods yet. They are inexperienced on both ends of the floor and are up against a side clawing to playoff contention. For now, expect the Lakers to take this contest at home.
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