Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks 11/01/19: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Daily Fantasy

Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks Preview

The Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks enter tonight’s game with matching 3-1 records to start the season, but momentum has to be on the said of the Lakers, who have won their last three consecutive games after dropping opening night against the Los Angeles Clippers. As talented as the Lakers have looked early this season, they are about to get even better as forward Kyle Kuzma will make his season debut after being sidelined with an injury.

The Mavericks should be on fresh legs tonight with two days of rest after their down-to-the-wire three-point win over the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night. It’ll be a battle of the dynamic duos tonight as LeBron James and Anthony Davis set to do battle with the international duo of Luke Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. It’ll be the start of a three-game road trip for James and the Lakers.

TV Schedule

Date: 11/1/19
Time: 9:30 PM ET
Arena: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Channel: ESPN

Injuries

Lakers: DeMarcus Cousins, Rajon Rondo, Talen Horton-Tucker (O)
Mavericks: No injuries

Los Angeles Lakers Starting Lineup

PG: Avery Bradley
SG: Danny Green
SF: LeBron James
PF: Anthony Davis
C: JaVale McGee

Lakers Analysis

For the first time since he was paired with Kyrie Irving in Cleveland, LeBron James seems to have a true number two for when times focus on him or he deals with injury, and if we’re being honest, so far James has seemed like the number two to Anthony Davis. In their most recent win, a 120-91 smashing of the Memphis Grizzlies, Davis went off for 40 points and 20 rebounds.

“I don’t even think he’s scratched the surface yet,” James said of Davis. “I think we’re all still getting comfortable with one another. I think he’s still getting comfortable out on the floor. He was wonderful, spectacular in all facets, both offensively and defensively, and we needed it.”

The Lakers have looked downright dominant in their three-game win streak, beating opponents by an average of 19 points.

James finished with 23 points and eight rebounds in the win, and JaVale McGee, Avery Bradley, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope all joined him in scoring in double figures.

Getting Kuzma back will add to the firepower, but it’s unknown how he’ll be added into the rotation. If Davis moved to center, Kuzma could start next to him with McGee coming off the bench.

Lakers Quick Links: Lakers Starting Lineup, Lakers Roster, Lakers Depth Chart, Lakers Injuries, Lakers News, Lakers Schedule

Dallas Mavericks Starting Lineup

PG: Delon Wright
SG: Luka Doncic
SF: Dorian Finney-Smith
PF: Kristaps Porzingis
C: Maxi Kleber

Mavericks Analysis

When you look at the Dallas Mavericks, you’d probably consider them a two-headed monster with Doncic and Porzingis, and they have led the team in several categories through four games so far, but in a game in which both players struggled offensively, Dallas showed they are a little more nuanced and have more talent as they relied heavily on their role players in their 109-106 win over the Denver Nuggets.

“It just shows you how deep we are,” forward Dorian Finney-Smith said. “Whenever anybody’s name is called, they’re ready to play.”

Finney-Smith was one of a whopping nine players on Dallas’ roster to reach double figures on Tuesday night, led by Maxi Kleber’s 14 off the bench. Only Dwight Powell, who played just 14 minutes, did not score 10 or more points.

The Mavericks will need more of the same tonight as they take on a team that is just as deep.

Mavericks Quick Links: Mavs Starting Lineup, Mavs Roster, Mavs Depth Chart, Mavs Injuries, Mavs News, Mavs Schedule

Key Player Matchups

Anthony Davis vs. Kristaps Porzingis

This should definitely be a fun one to watch, as Davis, one of the more dominant post players in the league takes on the unicorn that is Kristaps Porzingis, who can mix it up inside and out. On the outside, Pirzingis has the advantage, but in the paint, it’s hard for anyone to stop Davis as proved against Memphis. Obviously Davis has looked great early on, and Dallas is starting to see what they were expecting when they traded for Kristaps. While he struggled against Portland, he looked solid in his first three games.

LeBron James vs. Luka Doncic

I can’t see Rick Carlisle defending James with Doncic, but I put them together here because they both bring the ball up the floor for their teams and James could spend some time on Doncic. So far, James has played not really looking for his own as much as he’s trying to set up his teammates and get everyone acclimated early. But James has shown his dominance in stretches. Doncic is off to a fantastic start, but he’ll want to quickly forget about his shooting performance against the Nuggets. Still he’s putting up 25 points and nearly nine rebounds and seven assists per game.

Daily Fantasy

If you’re looking for a big name player that may cost you, but will certainly be worth it in your fantasy leagues today, Anthony Davis and Luka Doncic are the picks. Davis is coming off his 40-20 game, and at his $10.6k salary on FanDuel, he’s expected to finish with a whopping 53.63 points, giving him the third-highest projection today. Doncic is available for $9.7k with a 44.2 fantasy points projection.

We have yet to hear anything on a minutes restriction for Kuzma, so he’s worth the risk tonight in the value category. At $6k, he’s expected to have 25.33 fantasy points, which is a good points per $1k ratio. Delon Wright has been a nice player off the bench for Dallas this season, and he could certainly fill out the bottom of your roster. His salary is just $5.2k and he’s expected to notch 21.56 points tonight.

Bet on Matchup

If you’re in Pennsylvania, you can bet on this matchup. Sports betting is legal in PA. Our top rated online sportsbook bonus offers can be found in our articles: Fanduel Sportsbook promo code, DraftKings Sportsbook promo code & Pointsbet promo code.