The Bulls and Hawks have a game tonight but the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks also have a pivotal Game 3. Dallas is up 2-0 on the defending NBA champions. The home-court advantage is gone. Ron Artest is suspended after clotheslining Mavericks guard J.J. Barea late in the fourth quarter of Game 2. Andrew Bynum said there are deeply-rooted trust issues among the team. It’s not exactly a storybook ending right now for Phil Jackson’s coaching career.

The Lakers desperately need a win tonight in their quest for a third straight championship. Three teams in NBA history have won a seven-game series after losing the first two at home, but no team has done that from an 0-3 deficit.

Defense is the biggest issue for Los Angeles. Dirk Nowitzki is hitting every step-back jumper. Barea ran all over the Lakers in Game 2. Pau Gasol and Bynum are struggling offensively to the point of being booed in the second half of Game 2. It’s a similar situation from the first round matchup with New Orleans. Los Angeles lost the opener against the Hornets and were tied 2-2 before Kobe Bryant took over.

Luckily for the Lakers, they’re playing a team that blows games and series every postseason. The Mavericks reverted to that form against Portland in the first round when they lost a 23-point lead over the last 14 minutes of Game 4. However, Dallas has won four straight games since then, including three on the road. Now, the Lakers go to Dallas for their first playoff visit in 23 years.

While Los Angeles’ shooting has been poor, the Mavericks haven’t allowed an opponent to score more than 97 in eight playoff games. Don’t expect it to hit the 187.5 point total with the Lakers’ interior strength. But, seven of 12 games in this series have gone over the total during the last three seasons. For your online betting, Dallas is 7-5 ATS versus the Lakers during that span.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks Game 3 Odds (provided by Party Bets)

Lakers: 11/10

Mavericks: 10/13

Point Spread: Mavericks -2

Over/Under: 187.5

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks Best of 7 Series Winner Odds (provided by Party Bets)

Lakers: 21/10

Mavericks: 1/3