LeBron James looks to continue his recent tear of impressive play when the Lakers visit the Mavericks Wednesday night.
Over his last eight games, James is averaging 29.8 points, 8.0 assists and 7.3 rebounds while shooting 52.0 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from 3-point range. In LA's most recent outing, James finished with 30 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and three blocks in a win over the Magic.
Now, James looks to make it three wins in a row for the Lakers as they visit a Mavericks team that will be without Luka Doncic for a third straight game.
MORE: Why LeBron sees himself in Luka
As you would expect, Dallas isn't quite the same team without their 22-year-old superstar. Up to this point in the season, the Mavs have posted a 2-4 record in Doncic's absence, with the two wins coming over the Thunder and shorthanded Hornets in the past week.
Kristaps Porzingis stepped up for Dallas in its most recent win, finishing with 24 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks in 25 minutes of action. With Anthony Davis battling a sore knee and Dwight Howard entering the NBA's Health and Safety Protocols, Porzingis has the opportunity to be a difference-maker in the front court for the Mavs.
Up to this point in the season, both the Lakers (15-13) and Mavs (14-13) have hovered around the .500 mark. Fortunately for both Dallas and Los Angeles, there is plenty to be sorted out in the Western Conference outside of its top three teams in the Suns, Warriors and Jazz.
Wednesday night is an opportunity for either the Mavericks or Lakers to earn a win that could be big for momentum as they gear up for their respective Christmas Day showcases next weekend.
Who will come out on top?
MORE: Watch Lakers vs. Mavericks live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)
What channel is Lakers vs. Mavericks on?
- TV channel: ESPN
- Live stream: Watch ESPN | fuboTV
What time does Lakers vs. Mavericks start?
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 15
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Lakers schedule 2021-22
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Dec. 15 | at Mavericks | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Dec. 17 | at Timberwolves | 10:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| Dec. 19 | at Bulls | 3:30 p.m. | – |
| Dec. 21 | vs. Suns | 10:00 p.m. | TNT |
| Dec. 23 | vs. Spurs | 10:30 p.m. | – |
| Dec. 25 | vs. Nets | 8:00 p.m. | ABC/ESPN |
| Dec. 28 | at Rockets | 8:00 p.m. | – |
| Dec. 29 | at Grizzlies | 8:00 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Dec. 31 | vs. Trail Blazers | 10:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Jan. 2 | vs. Timberwolves | 9:30 p.m. | – |
Mavericks schedule 2021-22
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Dec. 15 | vs. Lakers | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Dec. 19 | at Timberwolves | 8:00 p.m. | – |
| Dec. 21 | vs. Timberwolves | 8:30 p.m. | – |
| Dec. 23 | at Bucks | 8:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Dec. 25 | at Jazz | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Dec. 27 | at Trail Blazers | 10:00 p.m. | – |
| Dec. 29 | at Kings | 10:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Dec. 31 | at Kings | 6:00 p.m. | – |
| Jan. 2 | at Thunder | 7:00 p.m. | – |
| Jan. 3 | vs. Nuggets | 8:30 p.m. | – |
NBA schedule for 2021-22
After a truncated season in 2020-21, the NBA has returned to its standard 82-game format for the 2021-22 campaign, which is the league's 75th anniversary season.
Here are some key dates for the 2021-22 NBA season:
- Trade Deadline: Feb. 10
- NBA All-Star 2022: Feb. 18-20
- Regular season concludes: April 10
- Play-In Tournament: April 12-15
- Playoffs begin: April 16
- NBA Finals begin: June 2
- 2022 NBA Draft: June 23
