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

Odds available at draftkings at time of publishing

In the upcoming showdown between the Lakers and Mavericks, targeting LeBron James for under 35.5 points and assists feels like the smart play. LeBron's recent form shows a marked dip, averaging just 17 points and 7.4 assists over his last five games. When he's on the road, those numbers drop even further to about 15.8 points and 7 assists. Historically, he's faced the Mavericks with a modest average of 20.6 points and 7 assists, but playing away, those stats dip to 26.4 and 6. What makes this wager even more compelling is that LeBron hasn't hit the combined total of 35.5 points and assists in his last 20 away games. With the Mavericks' defense tightly focused on containing him, expect a night where LeBron's contributions fall short of expectations. Taking the under here feels like a prudent choice, given the numbers speak volumes.

Jake LaRavia (Los Angeles Lakers) Under 15.5 Points + Assists (-115)

Odds available at draftkings at time of publishing

As the Dallas Mavericks gear up to face the Los Angeles Lakers, Jake LaRavia's scoring and playmaking might not be the focal point, making the under on his combined points and assists of 15.5 an enticing proposition. LaRavia has struggled to find his rhythm lately, averaging just 6 points and a single assist over the last five games-and even worse when playing away, where he's managed only 4.8 points and 1 assist. Against the Lakers, his average dips to 5.4 points and 1 assist when on the road. With a perfect hit rate in his last 18 games under this total, including 8 for 8 on the road, it's safe to say he's not likely to break through in this matchup. As the Mavericks look to other stars for scoring, LaRavia may once again find himself on the periphery of the offense, making this under bet a solid choice.

LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) Under 43.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-116)

Odds available at draftkings at time of publishing

As the Lakers gear up to face the Mavericks in Dallas, all eyes will be on LeBron James, but don't be surprised if he falls short of the 43.5 points, rebounds, and assists total. Recent trends suggest LeBron's been in a bit of a lull, averaging just 17 points and 7.2 rebounds over his last five games. His away numbers are even less imposing, with 15.8 points and a modest 7 assists.The Mavericks present a tough matchup; historically, LeBron averages 20.6 points against them, but when playing in Dallas, that drops to 26.4. Couple this with his strong track record of hitting the under in recent away games-he's gone under in all four of his last outings-and the evidence piles up. Expect LeBron to take a back seat as the Lakers navigate a challenging road game, making the under a compelling play.

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