LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) Under 35.5 Points + Assists (-111)

Odds available at draftkings at time of publishing

As the Lakers head to Dallas, all eyes will be on LeBron James, but I see a compelling case for taking the under on his combined points and assists at 35.5. In his last five games, he's averaging just 17 points and 7.4 assists, a stark contrast to the lofty expectations surrounding him. On the road, those numbers dip to 15.8 points and 7 assists, which suggests a struggle against tough defenses like the Mavericks'. Historically, LeBron has averaged 20.6 points against Dallas, but away from home, that jumps to 26.4, hinting at the challenge of performing under pressure. With an impressive 20-for-20 hit rate in his last 20 games for the under, it's clear he's been working smarter, not harder. This matchup might just see him lean more towards facilitating than scoring, making the under a savvy play.

Luke Kennard (Los Angeles Lakers) Under 17.5 Points + Assists (-105)

Odds available at draftkings at time of publishing

As the Mavericks gear up to host the Lakers, Luke Kennard finds himself in a tough spot. Averaging just 8.2 points and 1.8 assists over his last five games, his recent form paints a clear picture: he's not lighting up the scoreboard. On the road, those numbers dip even further to 6.8 points and 1.4 assists. Against the Lakers, Kennard has struggled, with an average of 4.6 points in their last matchup away from home. His overall hit rate for the last 14 games indicates he's only cleared this combined total once in the last 14 tries, and impressively, he's hit the under in all eight of his recent away games. With the Mavericks' defensive focus likely aimed elsewhere, it's hard to see Kennard surpassing that 17.5 mark. Taking the under feels like a savvy move in this matchup.

Jake LaRavia (Los Angeles Lakers) Under 15.5 Points + Assists (-110)

Odds available at draftkings at time of publishing

When looking at Jake LaRavia's recent performances, betting the Under on his combined points and assists at 15.5 seems like a savvy play. Over the last five games, he's averaged a mere 6 points and 1 assist, and even when facing the Lakers, he's only managed 6.8 points overall, which drops to 5.4 when playing away. LaRavia's recent form is telling-he's hit the Under in all of his last 18 outings, including a perfect 8-for-8 on the road. The Mavericks' matchup against a tough Lakers defense only adds to the challenge. With an expected stat value of just 8, he'll need a substantial uptick to breach that 15.5 mark. Given his current trends and the heavy odds stacked against him, placing your chips on the Under feels like a calculated move in this high-stakes matchup.

See All Our Picks

You're viewing a preview. Subscribe today to unlock the full article and gain access to all our expert insights and best bets - every single day.

Get Bet Better Pro