Mavs Test Out New Line-up Against Lakers
Written by unclerico, Tuesday February 23 2010
Los Angeles Lakers (42-14) vs Dallas Mavericks (36-21)
After acquiring Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood, at the trade deadline, The Mavericks have had four games to get their chemistry together before this huge matchup that will determine whether they improved enough to compete with the best in the Western Conference. Those doing NBA betting know Dallas has won four straight since they entered the line-up but will be facing a Lakers team that, while coming off a one-point loss to Boston, has won four of five. Kobe Bryant has been practicing and is expected to test out his injured ankle on Tuesday against Memphis and should be expected in LA’s starting unit, against Dallas if all goes well.
Primetime Performers
Lakers: After missing five games, or 17 days, with his ankle injury, he should be back in the line-up and ready to go. He leads the Lakers with 28 points and nearly five assists a game but has struggled against Dallas. In three games against the Mavericks this year, he has put up just 15 a game and with going against a lockdown defender in Butler, he will be in tough especially after missing so much time.
Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki is averaging 24.7 points and 7.6 boards this year including 30 points and 16 rebounds in the only game between the teams in Dallas. He is one of the most dynamic players in the game as he can post up as a seven-footer and step out to take the three. Pau Gasol will have trouble guarding him outside but should have an advantage over him down low. Betting services experts will expect a lot of jump-shots from Nowitzki.
X-Factors
Lakers: In the three games against Dallas this year, Pau Gasol has played just seven minutes. After missing two with injuries and leaving the third with a strained hamstring, this will be his first chance to go against Nowitzki for a full game. With 17 points and 11 rebounds a game, he is more of a post player than Dirk, and does not give up any height against the big German.
Mavericks: Coming off of a hug 13 point 20 rebound and 3 block game against Indiana, Brendan Haywood will need to have another big game down low if the Mavericks are to win this game. Andrew Bynum is one of the best young rebounders in the game, with 8.2 a game despite being slowed by a hip injury, and can match-up with Haywood in both height and size.
The Matchup
An expert sports handicapper will know the Lakers have won two of the three games between the teams this summer by a combined 40 points, with the only loss coming in the second game of the season when Gasol was injured. This will be an interesting strategic game because both teams are used to having a big size advantage down low as they boast seven-footers at both power forward and center. This is the measuring stick for Dallas and being at home, with Bryant’s slowed by injury, they should come out on top.
Pick: Mavericks
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