Mavs Look to Start Winning Streak Against the Lakers

The Dallas Mavericks (1-5) finally snagged their first win against the Milwaukee Bucks in OT. Will they be ready to do it again tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers (4-3).

The Dallas Mavericks finally broke the curse that the 2016 season brought forth against a young, dangerous Milwaukee team led by one of the most ridiculous athletes in Giannis Antetokounmpo. Now, the Mavs will have their hands full once again with a few more up and coming studs in the NBA.

The Los Angeles Lakers are 4-3 with a couple big wins already on their record. Dallas is sitting on hard times, still without Dirk Nowitzki, and in desperate need of something good to happen. Without some help from a few unlikely sources, Dallas may be on their way to a loss against a team we need to beat.

That being said, here are just a few points that could make or break the matchup between the Mavs and Lakers.

Wesley Matthews needs to play his game

Wes Matthews has been awful this year. That may be the nicest way I can put his play through the first 6 games of the season. Wes is 13-54 so far this season beyond the three-point line. That is just a shade over 24% shooting. He is also shooting a mere .276 from the field.

These numbers are a small sample size but, if Dallas is going to fight its way out of the Western conference cellar, Wes will be a big part of it. I believe it is safe to assume that a player who works as hard and does as much as Wes Matthews will be back to his normal self before too long. Just have to hope its sooner rather than later.

Contain D’Angelo Russell

This youngster is a beast and will continue to grow in the league throughout the year. Russell is currently averaging nearly 16 points and 5 assists per game in only his second season in the NBA. Again, a small sample size, but this kid can ball and, if we try to swing J.J. Barea or Deron Williams on him, he will have himself a day.

Expect to see Wes Matthews, Justin Anderson, Dorian Finney-Smith, or even Harrison Barnes matching up with Russell throughout the night. He has been something special so far but the Mavs have some great defenders that will not want to see a young kid tear up their team. Could be a fun matchup.

Keep it close on the glass

The Mavs will need to keep up with the Lakers on the boards to have a good shot at a win tonight. The Lakers may not have any premier rebounder on their team but between solid rebounders like Julius Randle, Timofey Mozgov, Luol Deng, and others, Dallas will need people helping on the boards.

Andrew Bogut has done great for the Mavs so far this year, averaging over 11 rebounds per night, but he will need some help from everyone to contain this young, athletic team in the Lakers. Expect to see a battle but if the Mavericks can keep it close, it will be a great sign for Dallas in the season to come.

Next: Barnes Leads Mavs to First Win in OT

The Dallas Mavericks visit Los Angeles tonight to face-off against Luke Walton and the Lakers. The game will begin at 9:30 central time.