Los Angeles Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks prediction, odds, spread, and best pick for April 9, 2025

The Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks square off in one of the most anticipated matchups of the regular season, with playoff positioning and pride on the line. With LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Anthony Davis potentially sharing the floor, all eyes will be on this Wednesday night showdown airing live on ESPN.Here’s a breakdown of the latest odds, key players, and why both teams believe they can come out on top.The Lakers have hit their stride at the perfect time. Coming off a dominant 126-99 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, LA has now won two straight and looks poised to make a push for the No. 3 seed in the West. Despite playing on the second night of a back-to-back, the Lakers’ depth was on full display in OKC.Key performers included:- LeBron James and Luka Doncic combining for 49 points- Austin Reaves adding 20 points- Role players like Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent knocking down eight three-pointers between themThe Lakers are 44-33-2 against the spread this season and have proven to be one of the most consistent ATS teams in the league. At home, they’re dominant (30-10), but even on the road (18-20), recent performances suggest they’re peaking at the right moment.Luka’s impact since joining LA cannot be overstated. He’s averaging:- 27.3 points- 8.3 rebounds- 7.7 assists- 1.6 steals per gameHowever, opponents have found success when they force Luka to defend consistently, draining his energy for clutch-time scoring. Expect Dallas to target him early and often on defense.Dallas is fighting for a spot in the Play-In Tournament and desperately needs this win. The Mavericks are not dealing with the fatigue of a back-to-back and will be fully rested, unlike the Lakers. While they’ve lost two straight and are 5-5 in their last 10 games, Anthony Davis's return changes everything.Important notes for Dallas:- Anthony Davis is probable and expected to play a major role- Kyrie Irving is out for the season- Jaden Hardy is ruled out- Dante Exum is a game-time decisionIf Davis is active and aggressive, he could be the game-changer Dallas needs. A 30+ point, 15-rebound, multi-block game is not out of the question. His head-to-head battle with LeBron will be one of the night’s biggest storylines.The Mavericks are 36-40-3 against the spread and 42-35-2 on totals, but they’ve failed to cover in four consecutive games.Luka Doncic returns to Dallas—but this time in purple and gold. The energy in the arena will be electric and emotionally charged. For many fans, this will be their first time rooting against Luka, a player they passionately supported for years.Doncic could respond in one of two ways:- Embrace the challenge and take over offensively- Defer to teammates and orchestrate from the backgroundEither way, the spotlight will be on him.The Mavericks opened as bigger underdogs, but sharp action trimmed the spread down to just five points. Despite that movement, the Lakers remain the better bet based on current form, depth, and recent momentum—even with the back-to-back situation.Los Angeles has proven they can win tough road games and have more than enough firepower to cover this modest spread.Final pick: Lakers -5 (-112)Time: 7:30 PM ET / 4:30 PM PTTV: ESPNStreaming: fuboTV (free trial available)This matchup promises high-level intensity and star power. With playoff implications, personal rivalries, and emotions running high, Wednesday night’s game is must-watch TV.