PREVIEW
LOS ANGELES LAKERS (35-24) AT MAVERICKS (32-26)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: American Airlines Center, Dallas
TV: ABC
Radio: ESPN 103.3 FM; Univision 1270 AM (Spanish)
About the Mavericks: After being the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference for almost a month, the Mavs enter tonight’s game as the No. 6 seed . . .They will be playing on their home court against the Lakers for the second time in three days. Behind 30 points, nine rebounds and eight assists from Luka Doncic, the Mavs defeated the Lakers, 115-110, on Thursday night. . .This is the finale of a five-game home stand before the Mavs start a three-game trip Monday in Sacramento. The road trip continues with games Tuesday at the Golden State Warriors and Thursday at the Detroit Pistons before the Mavs return home to entertain the Washington Wizards on May 1. The Mavs are 2-2 on this home stand . .Tonight’s game is critical for playoff seedings just in case the Mavs and Lakers finish the regular season with identical records. The Lakers are two-and-a-half games ahead of the Mavs in the West, and the season series between the two teams is tied at 1-1. . .Center/forward Kristaps Porzingis (left ankle sprain) and center Maxi Kleber (back bruise) are questionable for tonight’s game. . .Center Willie Cauley-Stein was a major factor in Thursday’s win with 11 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in a season-high 31 minutes. He also could be a factor again tonight if Porzingis and Kleber are unable to play, or if they’re limited. “Willie’s a guy that’s very professional,” guard Josh Richardson said. “He’s always ready to play. He’s gotten a couple of (did not play, coach’s decision) lately, but he’s done a good job of being professional about it and not letting it get him down. To come back the way he did (Thursday) and make such an impact on the game, that’s all you can for from a guy.”
About the Lakers: Forward Anthony Davis returned and played Thursday for the first time in nearly 10 weeks, but was not a factor in the loss. As he works himself back in condition, Davis only played in the first half against the Mavs and finished with just four points and four rebounds in 17 minutes and was 2-of-10 from the field. Lakers coach Frank Vogel said of Davis: “He’s one of the best defensive players in the league when he’s got his legs under him and his conditioning.”. .This is the second of a four-game road trip for the Lakers, who also play at the Orlando Magic on Monday and at the Washington Wizards on Wednesday before returning home to open a three-game home stand on Friday against the Sacramento Kings. . .Forward LeBron James is still out while nursing a sprained right ankle. . .Against the Mavs, the Lakers were led by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (29 points), Dennis Schroder (25 points, 13 assists), Andre Drummond (14 points, 19 rebounds, three blocks) and Montrezl Harrell (14 points, six boards). . .The points by Caldwell-Pope, who average just 9.7 ppg, are his season high. . .Schroder is averaging 15.6 ppg and 5.6 apg, Harrell averages 13.9 ppg and 6.6 rpg, and Kyle Kuzma is averaging 12.8 ppg and 6.5 rpg. . .Since he joined the Lakers earlier this month, Drummond has averaged 11.9 ppg and 10.1 rpg. . .The Lakers have lost three of their last four games and are 7-11 in their past 18 games.
Twitter: @DwainPrice
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