Mavs vs. Lakers Christmas Day Preview: Luka vs. LeBron as Ultimate Stocking Stuffer

With Santa having made all his early-morning rounds, NBA followers nonetheless have some stocking stuffers to take pleasure in. For Dallas Mavericks followers particularly, Sunday is an extra-special Christmas Day, because the staff is unveiling Dirk Nowitzki’s statue in entrance of American Airways Middle simply hours earlier than Luka Doncic and the remainder of the crew host LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers. It is the Mavs’ first Christmas Day recreation at house in 11 years.

Though Doncic vs. James is the one-on-one celebrity matchup that should not disappoint, each the Mavs and Lakers are coming into this one with injury-riddled rosters.

The Mavs can be with out Josh Inexperienced (elbow sprain), Dorian Finney-Smith (adductor pressure), Kemba Walker (knee harm restoration) and Maxi Kleber (hamstring tear). Promising 20-year-old rookie Jaden Hardy is questionable with a again contusion.

The Lakers can be with out Anthony Davis (foot harm) and Juan Toscano-Anderson (ankle sprain). James is listed as possible with ankle soreness after Friday’s 134-130 loss to the Sacramento Kings.

Dallas comes into Sunday’s matchup with the ninth-best offensive score at 113.8, whereas L.A. is available in with the Nineteenth-ranked defensive score at 113.1. The Mavs may have ample alternatives to attain in opposition to the Lakers’ at AAC … the one query is how a lot assist can Doncic get from his supporting solid?

Over his final 4 video games, Doncic is averaging 31.8 factors, 7.3 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 1.8 steals whereas taking pictures 50.6 p.c from the sphere, together with 44.1 p.c from deep on 8.5 makes an attempt per recreation. He is additionally taking pictures 85.7 p.c from the free-throw line on 8.8 makes an attempt per recreation. Though some would possibly assume Friday’s 50-point efficiency in opposition to the Houston Rockets inflates his factors per recreation slightly bit, it merely makes up for Monday’s recreation in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the place Doncic was ejected within the third quarter whereas solely having 19 factors.

Doncic will doubtless placed on a present with the highlight being instantly on him, however Christian Wooden might need the most effective probability of giving him probably the most assistance on Sunday. Wooden hasn’t scored greater than 15 factors in his final three video games regardless of selecting issues up on the defensive finish by averaging 2.7 blocks throughout that span. He appears due for a breakout efficiency on offense, and the Lakers not having Davis to defend him makes factor that breakout may come on Christmas.

FUN FACT: The final time the Mavs performed a house recreation on Christmas Day was again in 2011, as Dallas took on James’ Miami Warmth simply six months after beating them within the NBA Finals. The Warmth, having revenge on their minds, received that matchup, however the Mavs raised their championship banner regardless. It is good to have Christmas Day hoops again within the Large D.

RECORDS: Dallas Mavericks (17-16), Los Angeles Lakers (13-19)

WHEN: Sunday, December 25, 2022 – 1:30 p.m. CT

WHERE: American Airways Middle (Dallas, TX)

TV: ABC/ESPN

RADIO: 97.1 The Freak, 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish)

ODDS: The Mavs are 8.0-point favorites over the Lakers

NEXT UP: Dallas will keep put and tackle Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks for the second time this season on Tuesday at AAC. Doncic, Tim Hardaway Jr. and the remainder of the crew blew out the Knicks at Madison Sq. Backyard 

FINAL WORD: “In fact,” stated Doncic when requested if he was enthusiastic about his Christmas Day duel in opposition to LeBron James’ Lakers. “I imply, it the primary Christmas Day recreation for me at house, so I anticipate the gymnasium [to be] full [and] a number of power. It is gonna be enjoyable.”

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