Within an hour of Luka Doncic being traded the sportsbooks began advertising the Dallas Mavericks vs Los Angeles Lakers match for 02/25/2025. That day is today, and the trade of the century will not be quite the match we were promised.

Like a challenger getting injured weeks before a big boxing match, such is the case with Anthony Davis. He will not get the honor (or revenge depending on how you perceive it) of playing back at Crypto.com Arena. 

Although the fans on social media have numerous reactions, Davis was one of two pillars that stacked another Larry O’Brien trophy for the famed Lakers franchise. He is one of the best players of his generation, and one of the greatest Lakers – which is quite the statement.

Luka Doncic, however, will be playing, and he does not have a questionable designation. He could remind his teammates of that time he busted them one at a time in a one-on-one at practice.

 

 

 

Dallas Mavericks: Tightrope

The Dallas Mavericks’ front court is decimated, and although they traded for arguably the best two way forward/center in the Association, they are too injured to be a serious threat. The lethal one-two combo of Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II are still recovering from serious injuries, and they are desperately missed.

Dwight Powell is also out, and that means all three centers are unavailable, forcing P.J. Washington into the starting center position. The Mavericks have been under scrutiny since the trade, and like the Stevie Ray Vaughan song, find themselves ‘....walkin’ the tightrope, tryin’ to make it right.’

The Mavericks’ back court is deep and has great offensive and defensive players. Kyrie Irving is the unquestioned leader and the person the Mavericks are building their championship hopes around. He is playing against two similar players that he has gone to the NBA Finals with, and he could have an ‘Uncle Drew’ type game in store for his former teammates.

 

 

 

Los Angeles Lakers: Not Like Us

The Los Angeles Lakers are climbing up the Western Conference and have two of the best point-forwards of all-time in LeBron James and Luka Doncic. It is still bizarre seeing Doncic in yellow and purple and for some it will always be a sad sight. However, that is how it is, and that is how it could be for over a decade.

The general conclusion is that the Lakers fleeced the Mavericks in the trade between the franchises. Time will tell if that is true or not, but only the Lakers could convince the owner of another team to keep this quiet, to not shop around what most consider a top five player and benefit massively from it. They find a generational talent and dish off an often-injured player that displayed in two series that Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets were too much.

The Lakers are a different franchise that have brought in players that were, or still are, considered the best of all-time. Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem-Abdul Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, and LeBron James are players that can rightfully lay claim to the title on the coveted grail of the Greatest of All-Time. They all came in from another team too.

Now Doncic has the same opportunity those players had, win a championship and stand beside the greatest players of all-time that went to Los Angeles and won. Only the Lakers can do that, which is why it is true when they sing, Not Like Us.

 

 

 

Dallas Mavericks Starting Lineup

Los Angeles Lakers Starting Lineup

 

 

 

Mavericks vs. Nuggets Predictions & Picks Today: Tuesday 2/25

Los Angeles did defeat Denver in their most recent match, and that was Luka Doncic’s best game as Laker… thus far. 

Can he have a better line than 32 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals? Maybe not but he doesn’t have to for the Bet of the Game to be successful. 

 

 

 

Mavericks vs. Nuggets Prediction: LA ML & Doncic O8.5 Rebounds (+125 on Bet365)

The Los Angeles Lakers are -8.0 favorites against the Mavericks, and honestly, they should cover that spread. However, there are several Dallas players that were on the Finals team, and know they were a big part of it as well. They will be playing with pride and could cover the spread with tough play.

Doncic might be the best rebounder on the court today, and he will want to make an impression against his former teammates. However, Doncic is a great rebounder and if he could earn ten against Denver he can earn even more against a depleted Mavericks front court. 

As tempting as it is to tease up his rebounds, or tease down the -8.0, take the money line and over on the rebounds. +125 on Bet365 is great odds for Doncic to cover what is essentially his average. It takes the juice off the rebounds, and the money line essentially makes this a boosted rebound line. Put a unit on the same game parlay to be successful. 

 

 

 

Bet Smart, Be Lucky -Iggy-