Mavs at Lakers FINAL: Kyrie Irving, Maxi Kleber Lead Dallas To Win in Thriller – VIDEO
Kyrie #Kyrie
The Dallas Mavericks play the Los Angeles Lakers at the Crypto.com Arena on Friday night. Without Luka Doncic, and possibly no Kyrie Irving, the Mavs face a Lakers team also dealing with significant injuries.
Typically, the stars show out in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, for the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, and NBA fans alike, Luka Doncic and LeBron James won’t suit up for Friday night’s important matchup at Crypto.com Arena. Still, both teams could have a potential star clash with Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving to salvage the situation.
Although not on a productive stretch, the Mavs survived overtime vs. the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. It’s safe to say the challenge is elevated on Friday night, as the Lakers have had the league’s top defense since the trade deadline.
Battling a James-less Lakers squad isn’t as easy as it seems, as Davis has proven to wreak havoc on Dallas’ shaky frontcourt depth. In the Mavs’ morale-crushing loss to the Lakers on Feb. 26, where they gave up a 27-point lead, Davis scored 30 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, one steal and three blocks.
Although behind the Mavs all year in the standings by one game, the Lakers will tie Dallas with a victory on Friday night. Every game is a must-win for the duration of the season, but the Mavs must treat this contest like a play-in tournament game. Extra emphasis and urgency is needed.
Heres’s something to consider for those clamoring for a late-season tank job: even if the Mavs miss the playoffs, the pick must fall in top-10 range or it will go to the New York Knicks. There’s no point in falling out of the playoff race at this point, especially if the Mavs must bank on luck. Having that pick convey to the Knicks would also open up more trade possibilities for Dallas this upcoming summer.
If Irving plays, then Dallas has will naturally have a good shot at winning this one. However, without its second star, Dallas has quite the uphill battle in Los Angeles.
Mavericks vs. Lakers Injury Report
Dallas Mavericks
Los Angeles Lakers
RECORDS: Dallas Mavericks (35-35), Los Angeles Lakers (34-36)
WHEN: Friday, Mar. 17, 2023, at 9:30 p.m. CT
WHERE: Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles, CA)
TV: NBA TV, Bally Sports Southwest
RADIO: 97.1 The Freak
ODDS: The Lakers are 5.5-point favorites over the Mavs.
UP NEXT: The Mavericks play the Memphis Grizzles at the FedExForum on Monday, Mar. 20, at 7:00 p.m. CT.
LAST WORD: Reportedly, the Lakers are no longer interested in Irving’s services in free agency. Now with that in the open, the All-Star guard no longer has to deal with questions regarding a potential reunion with his fellow 2016 NBA champion James, at least in Los Angeles. However, in light of the Mavs’ past free agency woes and Irving’s constant change of scenery, the objective is still in progress.
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