The Dallas Mavericks taking on the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference showdown at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, and the tip-off is set for 10:30 PM ET.
Dallas and Los Angeles wrap up their four-game regular-season series, and Purple-and-Gold hope to tie it in front of the home fans.
Lakers vs. Mavericks injuries: 5 Questionable, 3 Out
The Los Angeles Lakers (34-36; 34-34-2 ATS) lost 114-110 to the Houston Rockets, who have the worst record in the Western Conference, on Wednesday.
After beating the New Orleans Pelicans 123-108 on the road the day before, the Lakers decided to give Anthony Davis a day off (foot).
- Anthony Davis – Questionable
Davis (foot) is likely to play against the Mavericks on Friday, according to Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com.
Davis rested a foot injury that had been bothering him for some time on Wednesday against the Rockets, and it appears to have helped.
The big man is expected to play again on Friday, which would be a huge help for a Los Angeles team that is already missing LeBron James (foot).
Davis has played six games in March and has averaged 27.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game.
- READ MORE: LeBron James injury status of The Lakers
After losing three straight games to the New Orleans Pelicans (113-106) and the Memphis Grizzlies (112-108 and 104-88), the Dallas Mavericks (35-35; 25-42-3 ATS) got back on track last Wednesday by beating the lowly San Antonio Spurs (137-128) in overtime.
The Mavs didn’t have many players because Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Markieff Morris were all out with injuries.
- Luka Doncic – Out vs. Lakers
Luka Doncic will not play in this game because of a thigh injury, even though he had a full practice on Thursday.
The Mavericks’ initial injury report lists Doncic as out, which is a bit of a surprise since he was able to practice on Thursday. But since the Mavericks have a few days off before their next game, it’s possible that Dallas is just being safe with their star guard.
Kyrie Irving’s (foot) status is uncertain, so Jaden Hardy, Frank Ntilikina, and McKinley Wright could be back in charge of the backcourt. On Monday, when Dallas plays Memphis, Doncic will get his next chance to play.
Irving has missed three straight games because of a sore right foot, but he was able to get in a full practice Thursday before being listed as questionable.
Luka Doncic (thigh) won’t be able to play, so if Irving is on the court, his minutes will go up. If not, it’s likely that Jaden Hardy, Frank Ntilikina, and McKinley Wright would do most of the work in the backcourt.
Since Kyrie joined the team, the Mavs have only won six of their nine games.
Dallas is now tied for the No. 7 seed in the West with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Mavs are only 1.5 games ahead of the No. 11 Utah Jazz. Even though they shot 40.5% from three-point range in their last ten games, the Mavericks are 4-6 ATS in those games.
Injury Report Mavericks
- JaVale McGee (Ankle) – Questionable
- Markieff Morris (Knee) – Questionable
- Kyrie Irving (Foot) – Questionable
- Tim Hardaway Jr. (Calf) – Questionable
- Luka Doncic (Thigh) – Out
Injury Report Lakers
- Anthony Davis (Foot) – Questionable
- Mo Bamba (Ankle) – Out
- LeBron James (Foot) – Out
