The Dallas Mavericks play their first game in four days, and it's against a familiar face.
The Dallas Mavericks head west to take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night after both teams had multiple days off for the Thanksgiving holiday.
The break hopes to bring the Mavs better health as forward Anthony Davis has missed the last few weeks with a calf strain. He is expected to be active at some point in Dallas' LA-based back-to-back, but many expect him to play Friday at the Lakers ... for obvious reasons.
It will be Davis' first trip back to play at his old arena since the infamous trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers in exchange for Davis, Max Christie and future draft picks in February.
When the Mavs faced the Lakers last season in Dallas, Davis totaled 13 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, but it was Doncic's return that shined brightest as he made it through an emotional tribute video before filling up 45 points, eight rebounds and six assists to lead the Lakers to a 112-97 win in April.
This time around, however, the most notable change to either team will be the administration that first constructed these changes. The Mavericks fired Nico Harrison on Nov. 11 after his decision to trade Doncic and the ensuing chaos that followed around the organization.
If Davis suits up, it will be just his sixth game played on the season. He is averaging 20.8 points and 10.2 rebounds on 52 percent shooting from the field. Doncic leads the Lakers - and is toward the top of the league statistically - with 35.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 9.2 assists per game. LeBron James has added 17.7 points and 8.7 assists a night since returning from a sciatica injury that stalled his season debut.
How To Watch, Betting Odds, & More
Who: Dallas Mavericks (5-14) at Los Angeles Lakers (13-4)
When: Nov. 28, 9:00 p.m. CT
Where: crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, Calif.
TV Channel: Streaming live on Prime Video
Odds:
Spread: Lakers -10.5
Total: 231.5
NBA Cup Game
Friday's meeting will take part in the NBA Cup group stages in West B. The Lakers remain the only unbeaten team in the group (3-0) with a massive point differential lead at +36 in those games. Dallas ranks second-to-last in the group with a 1-2 record and -11 point differential. The Lakers have already clinched the West B group after their win over the Clippers on Monday.
Top Performers
Amid Davis' absence, P.J. Washington and Cooper Flagg have been Dallas' top contributors this season. Washington is scoring 15.7 points per game to go with 7.8 rebounds, while the top-pick rookie Flagg is averaging 15.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game to lead a Mavs offense that ranks fourth in the NBA in fast-break points.
Doncic and James lead a balanced Lakers offense that includes Austin Reaves, who is putting up a career-high 27.9 points and 7.0 assists per game this season.
Last Time Out
On Monday, the Mavericks fell in a close one to the Miami Heat 106-102 in South Beach. Washington led the Mavs with 27 points. Christie added 15, Klay Thompson scored 13 and Flagg and Brandon Williams posted 12 points apiece. Miami was led by Tyler Herro's 24 points in his season debut returning from injury.
The Lakers got a 135-118 win over their cross-town rival Clippers on Tuesday. Doncic exploded for 32 first-half points before finishing with a game-high 43 on 14-of-28 shooting to go with 13 assists and nine rebounds. Reaves score 31 points as James contributed 25/6/6 to cap off the Lakers' fifth straight win.