What do we need to know about the Lakers?
The Lakers will be without Kobe Bryant who is sitting out due to general soreness. In Bryant's absence the Lakers pulled off a miraculous upset against the Golden State Warriors and suffered a Christmas Day loss against the Bulls. The Mavs have an opportunity to capitalize on a tough road back-to-back for the Lakers.
This Lakers defense will serve as a late Christmas gift for the Mavs. The Lakers come into this game ranked second-to-last in defense with a 110.2 defensive ranking. Three-point efficiency and rebounding pose as the major issues for the Laker defense. They rank 27th in total rebounding percentage and 28th in three-point percentage, which bodes well for a Maverick offense trying to coalesce.
What's the matchup to watch?
The most intriguing matchup tonight is an internal one for the Lakers: Kobe versus his team. Thus far Kobe is having his least efficient season of his career shooting 37 percent from the field and 27 percent on threes. The on/off numbers suggest that the Lakers are better without the Black Mamba on the court. The Lakers have a -13.3 net rating when Lobe is on the court and a 8.0 net rating when he's off the court. When Kobe is off the court the Lakers' offensive rating jumps from 101.5, a middling number, to 109.6, which would be a top 5 offense. The Lakers have played 957 minutes with Kobe on the court and 450 minutes without him, so the numbers are approaching a representative sample.
After their surprising blowout win against the Warriors this week, Nick Young had some interesting comments on Kobe's absence allowing the Lakers to play with more freedom.
What's the key to their success?
Three pointers. Three pointers. Three pointers.
The Mavs allow a league-high 42 percent on threes. Between Jeremy Lin, Nick Young, and Wayne Ellington, the Lakers have several guys who can get hot from behind the arc in a hurry. The Rondo acquisition should allow the Mavs to play a more aggressive defensive scheme that puts more pressure on shooters. Unlike Jameer Nelson, Rondo can navigate screens well enough to go over them and prevent more dribble penetration.
Which Laker might be due for a big game?
Without Kobe, the answer has to be Nick Young. Swaggy P truly believes he's the best scorer on planet Earth. His streaky shooting and unfettered confidence are a dangerous combination for a vulnerable Mavs defense. The Spurs experienced the full Swaggy P Experience earlier this month when Young went off for 29 points on 9-14 shooting including an absurd game-winner in overtime.
Every win in the West matters. The Mavs can't afford to overlook this feisty Lakers squad.