Los Angeles Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks: 4 keys to victory

A brief take on what the Los Angeles Lakers may look to do in order to secure a victory over the Dallas Mavericks in the Las Vegas Summer League playoffs.

With an 115-106 victory over the Brooklyn Nets in the quarter-finals of the summer league tournament in Las Vegas, the Los Angeles Lakers will face the 5-0 Dallas Mavericks in the semi-finals.

As the Lakers have one more game between them and the finals, here are four key things the Lakers may look to do in order to emerge victoriously versus the Mavericks.

Key # 1: Stop Dennis Smith Jr

LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 15: Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics during the Quarterfinals of the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League on July 15, 2017 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The first thing the Los Angeles Lakers have to look to do against the Dallas Mavericks is to limit the scoring impact of the ninth overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft, Dennis Smith Jr.

This is easier said than done of course, as the point guard has been on a scoring tear in Vegas, capped off by two 25-point outbursts thus far.

If the Lakers wish to slow him down, they may need to consider letting someone else guard him for the majority game instead of Lonzo Ball. While Ball tries hard on the defensive end and has shown himself to be a capable team defender, it is unlikely he will be able to guard Smith one-on-one.

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This said, whether Ball or another teammate takes on the task of guarding Smith, it will be crucial to stop his drives to the rim and clog the paint, as he can be lethal in close.

Key # 2: Crash the glass

While the Lakers have not been a particularly potent rebounding team during summer league, they will have an opportunity to grab some rebounds against the Mavericks. The Mavericks have often used a lineup with undersized big men in Brandon Ashley and Dorian Finney-Smith, who both stand at just 6-feet-8 inches tall.

A solid rebounding effort by the Lakers could do a lot for their chances at a victory. This would allow the opposition less second chance opportunities, while also creating some for themselves in transition as well as off of offensive rebounds.

As such, look for players such as Ivica Zubac, Kyle Kuzma, and Ball to attack the glass at every opportunity to take advantage of the Mavericks lack of size inside.

Key # 3: Force Mavericks to shoot beyond the arc

LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 15: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers gets the rebound during the game against the Brooklyn Nets during the Quarterfinals of the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League on July 15, 2017 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

During the Mavericks time in Las Vegas, the team as a whole has shot terribly from deep in four out of their five games.

In their first four games, the team shot no better than 27 percent from three-point territory, only exceeding this percentage in their most recent game against the Boston Celtics where they shot a very respectable 45.5 percent.

Despite them catching fire from deep in the quarter finals, it is likely that the Lakers will invite them to take as many threes as they can. Given the Mavericks terrible overall success rate from distance, it is a good risk to take.

However, one player the Lakers will not look to leave open is Yogi Ferrell. Although he has struggled a bit during summer league, he shot 40 percent from three during his 36 games for Dallas during the regular season. He could have a huge game if he catches fire.

Key # 4: Feed the big man against Ashley

LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 08: (L-R) Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls and Dorian Finney-Smith #10 and Brandon Ashley #21 of the Dallas Mavericks fight for a rebound during the 2017 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 8, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Lastly, one thing the Lakers have seldom done this summer league is pass to the big man Ivica Zubac and let him go to work down low.

This is not necessarily a surprise, however. Despite a couple decent scoring performances, such as his 21-point game versus the Philadelphia 76ers, Zubac has been relatively underwhelming from the post.

Regardless, Zubac has shown he can score inside during his one year with the Lakers and it may be worth a shot given his match-up.

Another option down low may be former Indiana Hoosier, Thomas Bryant. Although he is not as tall as Zubac, Bryant boasts an impressive 7-feet-6 inch wingspan and could be a lot to handle for the likes of Mavericks center Brandon Ashley, given his smaller stature.

Next: 4 Lakers With Something To Prove In Summer League

Although not the first priority on offense, if one of Zubac or Bryant could assert their dominance in the post early, it could present an advantage for Los Angeles that may very well aid them to victory.

*Statistical data courtesy of basketball-reference.com, nba.com and sports-reference.com*

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