I went to look at LeBron's point total for tonight with no Austin Reaves or Luka Doncic and it's 25.5. Model has 26.0, so I don't have a big thought there. James is averaging 6.9 assists per game, and I'm just not sure who he will pass to against the Mavs with those two bucket-getters out so this seems high to me -- and we get plus-money on the Under. On the flip side, I'd think LeBron has one of his highest shot total attempts of the campaign. JJ Redick can't play the 41-year-old 45 minutes or the like as that risks LeBron getting getting hurt, too.

FanDuel. Insert the “I accidentally got important at work” meme. Rui Hachimura will be thrust into a significant role down the stretch for the Lakers in the absence of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Without Doncic this season, Hachimura has cleared this line in 8/12 games. I like the matchup here - Rui has averaged 22.3 P+R across the three matchups versus Dallas this season. The Mavericks funnel action to the rim, and Hachimura’s three level scoring should flash in a more bal dominant role without Luka and Reaves.

Luka Doncic, out. Austin Reaves, out. Marcus Smart, maybe out. Los Angeles will miss 57 ppg from their stars, while the iffy Smart produces nearly 10 ppg. LeBron James, as effective as he is in spurts, cannot carry stripped-down squads anymore. Dallas does not win often but can be competitive. Cooper Flagg is coming off a 51-point outburst, which will give the Lakers' defense another concern on top of their challenges on offense.