NBA Preview: Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers Picks, Vegas Lines and Expert Analysis

NBA Preview: Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers Expert Picks, Lines and Analysis 3/31/11: Two of the NBA’s best teams face of tonight in a game that will likely feature playoff-type intensity. The Mavericks trail the Lakers by just a ½ game for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, and both teams have an outside chance at running down the San Antonio Spurs for the top seed. This matchup has the potential to be one of the hardest played games of the 2011 season, and the only thing that can make a great game even better is getting in on the action.

Despite both having 53 wins entering tonight’s contest, bettors might be surprised to see the Mavs getting 6 ½ points. Sure, the Lakers have been running over the competition since the All-Star break to the tune of a 15-1 record and have won their last nine at Staples Center, but Dallas has the NBA’s best road record at 27-10. Winning on the road is nothing new for this Dallas team. The Mavericks finished last season with the top road record as well.

Both teams bring plenty of momentum of into tonight’s game, with the Lakers winning seven straight and the Mavericks winning their last five. More importantly for the Mavs, their last three victories have all come on the road. On the year, the teams have split a pair of games in Dallas.

 There is plenty of star power on both squads with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd being just a few of the many big names. Led by Gasol and center Andrew Bynum, the Lakers have a decisive size advantage on the interior. The Mavericks have the edge in terms of speed and perimeter play.

The contrasting styles of play will likely lead to a game of runs as the teams exchange stretches of imposing their will. With Nowitzki and Bryant likely to put up their typical strong numbers, role players could decide the outcome. A big game from the outside for Jason Terry or Peja Stojakovic could tilt the scale in favor of the Mavs.

In either case, both teams have been playing too well recently and too well recently for tonight’s contest to be anything but a down to the wire affair. Bettors should take the Mavericks and the 6 ½ points and run with it. The Lakers should come out on top in the end, but a victory won’t come easy.

Prediction: Mavericks Cover the Spread +6.5

GAME: Dallas (53-21) at L.A. Lakers (53-20)
TIME: 10:35 PM EST
TV: TNT
NBA Vegas Odds and Lines: Favorite: LA Lakers -6.5 Total: Over/Under 191
* Lines from the Ceasars Palace Sportsbook in Las Vegas