Game 15: Mavs vs. Lakers

I love the Lakers new colors. It's like they are supporting the Mavericks. Seriously, though, this is going to be a good game. The Lakers are playing host to the Mavericks, who have won 5 in a row after losing 5 in a row. The Mavericks are now 7-7 and are looking like they can put together a 50+ wins this season. How "for real" are the Mavericks now? They can be without their #2 guy and have the #1 guy pressured and still walk away a winner. That is the power of Jason Kidd. And that is why the Mavericks traded for him last season. The Mavs were looking for the Kidd they have now last season. It didn't work out that well. Still, should the Mavericks continue to play the way they are now, they will be tough to beat.

And speaking of tough to beat, the Lakers are just that. They are 12-1 and the only loss came at home against Detroit two weeks before this particular Mavericks game.

Lakers to Watch:

• Kobe Bryant: 23.7 PPG
• Pau Gasol: 16.6 PPG; 9.2 RPG
• Andrew Bynum: 11.5 PPG; 8.9 RPG; 2.4 Blks
• Lamar Odom: 10.5 PPG

The Lakers are averaging 107.0 points per game and 22.4 assists per game. They also average 6.2 blocks and 47.1 rebounds a game. Kobe leads the team with 3.9 assists per game, which is pretty low for a team lead.

Mavericks to Watch:

• Dirk Nowitzki: 24.6 PPG; 8.6 RPG
• Josh Howard: 20.3 PPG; 8.2 RPG (could be ready to play)
• Jason Terry: 19.1 PPG
• Jason Kidd: 10.2 PPG; 7.4 RPG; 8.4 APG

These two played each other earlier this season in Dallas with the Mavericks losing by 7 points. I would expect a close, if not closer, game between these two. It is almost like a playoff game in November... but not really.

Forecast: The Mavericks seem better on the road compared to playing at home. Still, this is a hot Lakers team right now (as if the Mavericks aren't hot right now). It would seem foolish to pick against the Lakers... and I try to shy away from being a fool. My mind says Mavericks but my gut says the Lakers. Lakers win it, 105-103.

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