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Best NBA Prop Bets Today, Same Game Parlay for Lakers vs. Mavericks

By Reed Wallach

Dec 16, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder (17) reacts to a foul called against him during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder (17) reacts to a foul called against him during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Lakers and Mavericks meet on Christmas Day with Los Angeles still trying to find their footing without Anthony Davis.

LeBron James will be playing in his 17th Christmas Day game, the most in league history, and he always knows how to put on a show on one of the biggest days of the season, averaging over 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in his career.

The Lakers have a stiff test, matched up against Luka Doncic and the Mavericks, who have had an up-and-down season thus far, but are getting an MVP effort from Doncic, who leads the NBA in usage rate.

We have a best bet here, as well as the odds for this one below, but keep reading to find our three best prop bets and same game parlay for Sunday afternoon’s matchup:

Best NBA Prop Bets for Mavericks vs. Lakers

  • LeBron James OVER 30.5 Points (-102)
  • Dennis Schroder OVER 11.5 Points (-108)
  • Christian Wood UNDER 17.5 Points (-120)

LeBron James OVER 30.5 Points (-102)

With no Davis, it’s on LeBron James to take over games for the Lakers, who aren’t built to compete for the postseason with the Christmas Day roster. Los Angeles is coming off a loss to the basement dwelling Hornets, but we saw what LeBron can and has to do in the loss, finishing with 34 points, his sixth straight game of scoring 30 or more points.

The Mavericks defense is right around league average this month, but I don’t trust them to slow down the high usage James, who has been carrying the Lakers whether it’s in wins or losses. The Mavericks are also expected to be down their best wing defender, Dorian Finney-Smith, which should only help James’ case.

Dennis Schroder OVER 11.5 Points (-108)

Schroder is playing over 27 minutes per game in the month of December and taking nearly 10 shots per game. With the Lakers strapped for offensive firepower with Davis on the sidelines, Schroder has picked up his usage, going over this number in three of four games since the big fella went down.

I’ll continue to look for Schroder’s offense to play a role for Los Angeles and go over this pedestrian mark.

Christian Wood UNDER 17.5 Points (-120)

Wood’s numbers take a slight dip when he starts, which he has been thrust into recently due to DFS’ injury, averaging about 16 points per game while shooting 45% from the field (down from 55% as a reserve). More importantly, Wood’s usage has dipped by about 4% since he has become a starter, which makes sense, that’s more minutes with Doncic on the floor, who holds the ball for most possessions.

With Wood’s role being diminished with a new spot in the rotation, I’ll continue to ride his unders.

Best Same Game Parlay for Lakers vs. Mavericks

Using this prop analysis, I also crafted a +2148 same game parlay! Check it out below:

Track all of Reed’s bets at Betstamp HERE!

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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