Ricky Dimon
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There is an eighth-game slate in the NBA on Saturday, highlighted by a double-header on ESPN in addition to this showdown between the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks on ABC. This primetime contest is getting the same game parlay treatment it deserves. Let’s take a look at the best such option for Lakers-Mavericks, and be sure to also check out our full game preview for picks on the side and total.
Mavericks alternate spread -7.5 (+188)
Luka Doncic Over 29.5 points (-110)
Andre Drummond Over 11.5 rebounds (+106)
Part of the value in same game parlays, of course, is that all of its components can be correlated if you so choose. That is some of the plan here, as a productive performance by Luka Doncic would obviously go a long way toward a Dallas win and cover. At the same time, plays that aren’t correlated drive up the overall payout of the parlay. That is the case with picking Andre Drummond to dominate the glass, but even if he does that the Mavericks can still take care of business without too much trouble.
Mavericks alternate spread -7.5 (+188)
Anthony Davis finally returned, but the Lakers still fell to the Mavericks 115-110 on Thursday. Davis contributed only four points in 17 minutes of play, which is normal as he had not played in a couple of months. He is expected to be on a minutes restriction once again tonight, and based on that most recent performance it’s hard to see him being a major factor in this one. The Lakers have now lost three of their last four games. At 35-24, they are just 2.5 games ahead of Dallas and Portland in fifth spot in the West. Luka Doncic had yet another stellar game with 30 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists on Thursday. Kristaps Porzingis who rolled his ankle and is questionable for tonight’s game, but either way Dallas should be in good shape here. The Mavs are pretty much used to Porzingis going in and out of the lineup on a nightly basis. Given L.A.’s current state, Doncic and company can win–and perhaps even by a lot.
Luka Doncic Over 29.5 points (-110)
L.A. is generally a stout defensive team, but with LeBron James sidelined and Davis limited the Lakers are not their normal selves on that end of the floor. Dallas went for 115 points in Thursday’s contest and was on pace for way more before slowing down late with only 21 points in the fourth quarter. Doncic scored 30 points even if he did not shoot the ball particularly well (9-for-21 from the floor, 3-for-9 from deep). With Pozingis possibly out of the rotation, if Doncic shoots the ball slightly better on Saturday he should soar over the 30-point mark.
Andre Drummond Over 11.5 rebounds (+106)
Davis’ comeback should take a whole lot away from Drummond, especially when the former No. 1 overall pick is going to log no more than 20 minutes. Davis played 17 minutes on Thursday and was ineffective; you can’t think he will play much more than that. Plus they can coexist, with Davis at the four and Drummond at the five. In those situations, Drummond will be grabbing most of the boards. That is exactly what happened in the previous matchup, with the former Piston grabbing 19 rebounds. He has recorded double-digits in the rebounding department in five of the last seven games and should be able to reach at least 12 on Saturday.
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