Here is what you need to know before the Lakers visit the Dallas Mavericks.
1) The offense needs a spark
The Lakers have gone just 1-5 since LeBron James has missed time with a strained groin. The defense has played at a winning level, holding opponents to the league’s fourth-lowest field goal percentage (42.9) during this stretch.
The issues have come on the other side fo the ball.
Over those last six games, the Lakers rank second-to-last in offensive rating (99.4). The shooters have been cold — 25th in field goal (99.