Los Angeles Lakers Seeking to Put Together Two Straight Wins

Los Angeles had dropped two straight and six of their previous eight games before taking down the Thunder in their previous game at home. The Lakers entered Tuesday 20-21 on the season and stood fourth in the Pacific Division, six games behind the Clippers for the top spot. They were 10th in the Western Conference, nine games behind Minnesota for the top spot, four games behind the Mavericks for the final guaranteed playoff spot and percentage points ahead of the Rockets to remain in the play-in tournament. Against Oklahoma City, Los Angeles led by eight in the opening quarter only to see the lead trimmed to one at the end of the first. The Lakers were even at the half and closed the third quarter strong to lead by eight. Los Angeles didn’t let Oklahoma City closer than five the rest of the way en route to the win. The Lakers shot 52.4% from the field, including eight of 24 from three-point range, and overcame 17 turnovers in the game. Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 27 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in the win.

The Lakers are 19th in the league in scoring offense as they put up an average of 114.1 points per game. Los Angeles is 22nd in rebounding with 43.1 boards per contest and 8th in assists with 27.7 per game. The Lakers stand 16th in the league in scoring defense as they allow 115.5 points per night. LeBron James is second on the team with 24.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 7.5 assists per contest this season. Anthony Davis contributes 25.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks a night while D’Angelo Russell chips in 15.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 6.1 assists per contest. Austin Reaves (15.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, five assists) and Rui Hachimura (11.8 points) each average in double figures. Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish, Christian Wood, Gabe Vincent, Max Christie and Jaxson Hayes are looked to contribute for coach Darvin Ham. The Lakers are 7th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 48.7% from the floor as a team. Los Angeles is 28th in the league with 10.9 triples per game while standing 20th in three-point shooting by shooting 35.7% from downtown.

Dallas Mavericks Looking to Maintain Recent Push

Dallas knocked off New Orleans at home Monday night for their fifth win in their last seven games as they try to keep their momentum going. The Mavericks entered Tuesday night 22-16 on the year and stood tied for the top spot in the Southwest Division with the Pelicans. They were sixth in the Western Conference, five games behind Minnesota for the top spot, tied with the Pelicans for the final guaranteed playoff spot and four games ahead of the Rockets to remain in the play-in tournament field. Against New Orleans, Dallas was up 16 after one quarter only to find things even at the half. They trailed by seven after three quarters and remained down seven with 7:18 remaining before going on an 11-0 run to take a 115-111 edge with 3:29 to play and hung on down the stretch for the victory. Dallas shot 45.9% from the field, including 18 of 43 from three-point range, and held a 42-37 edge on the glass in the win. Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 42 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in the victory.

This season, the Mavericks are 7th in the league in scoring offense as they put up an average of 118.7 points per game. Dallas is 24th in the league in rebounding as they collect 41.9 boards a night while they are 23rd in assists by dishing out 25.2 dimes per contest. The Mavericks are 20th in the league in scoring defense as they are giving up an average of 117.1 points a game. Luka Doncic leads the team with 33.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game on the season. Kyrie Irving (25.8 points, five rebounds, 5.4 assists), Tim Hardaway Jr. (18.3 points) and Grant Williams are solid secondary options on the offensive end. Derrick Jones Jr. (10.6 points), Josh Green, Dereck Lively II, Jaden Hardy, Dwight Powell, Maxi Kleber, Seth Curry and Dante Exum are rotation depth pieces for Jason Kidd. Dallas is 16th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 47.2% from the field as a team on the year. The Mavericks are 2nd in the league in threes per game as they hit 15.2 triples per contest while they are 12th in three-point shooting by hitting 37.1% of their attempts from beyond the arc.