Lakers vs. Mavericks: Key Insights for Feb. 25 Showdown

The Los Angeles Lakers (34-21) are set to face the Dallas Mavericks (31-27) at Crypto.com Arena, with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. PT on Spectrum SportsNet. Coming off a dominant 123-100 win against the Denver Nuggets, the Lakers aim to continue their strong performance against a shorthanded Dallas squad. Here are the three biggest takeaways ahead of this highly anticipated matchup.

Luka Doncic’s Breakout Performance

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Luka Doncic has been steadily adjusting to his new role with the Lakers since his return from injury, but his full potential was on display against Denver. In his first three games in purple and gold, Doncic showed glimpses of his usual brilliance but had yet to deliver a signature performance. That changed on Saturday when he erupted for 16 first-quarter points, finishing with 32 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and four steals.

This performance was inspired by coach JJ Redick, who challenged Doncic to deliver a "blackout" moment, and he responded in spectacular fashion.

“Great confidence,” Doncic said. “I (can't) remember the last time I won here. It’s very tough to play here. Just to win like that is an amazing win for us.”

Now, Doncic faces an emotional test as he plays against his former Dallas teammates. With full support from his new squad and the home crowd, he’ll look to maintain his momentum.

Dorian Finney-Smith’s Impact

Dorian Finney-Smith, one of the Lakers’ most underrated acquisitions, continues to showcase his value beyond traditional stats. His season averages of 7.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists may not stand out, but his impact is undeniable.

Shooting an impressive 41.7% from three-point range (ranking 17th in the NBA), Finney-Smith has been an essential two-way player. His raw plus/minus numbers further highlight his significance—he leads the team with a +163 over 20 games, meaning the Lakers outscore opponents by an average of 8.2 points per game when he’s on the floor.

His contributions go beyond scoring, as he provides crucial defensive versatility, capable of guarding multiple positions, helping on bigs in the paint, and keeping up with perimeter players. His ability to stretch the floor and make quick decisions has been instrumental in the Lakers’ recent success.

Injury-Plagued Mavericks

Dallas is dealing with major injury concerns, particularly in the frontcourt. They’ve been without Anthony Davis and Derrick Lively for five games, while Daniel Gafford has also missed the last four. As a result, the Mavericks have been forced to rely on one of the smallest lineups in the NBA.

Despite these setbacks, Dallas has gone 3-2 in their last five games, securing wins against the Warriors, Heat, and Pelicans while falling to the Kings and Warriors. Their most recent outing was a 126-102 loss to Golden State.

Max Christie, who was traded to Dallas, has thrived in his new role, averaging 15.3 points on 50% shooting and 43.6% from beyond the arc in eight games.

Dallas’ makeshift starting lineup features P.J. Washington, Kessler Edwards, and Klay Thompson in the frontcourt, alongside Kyrie Irving and Dante Exum in the backcourt. They bring Christie, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Jaden Hardy off the bench, with limited minutes for newly signed 10-day player Moses Brown and former South Bay Laker Kylor Kelley.

With the Lakers surging and the Mavericks shorthanded, this game presents a prime opportunity for Los Angeles to capitalize on their momentum. Fans can expect a competitive battle as Luka Doncic takes center stage against his former team.