The Mavericks are currently in a back and forth battle with the Trail Blazers and Lakers for the 6th and final playoff spot to avoid playing in the play-in tournament. The Lakers have 37 wins, and the Mavericks and Blazers both have 36. The Mavericks have won three of their last four games, including a 30 point blowout win against the Warriors. Luka Doncic has not had the MVP season most were expecting, but he has still done more than enough to keep his team in the thick of the playoff race by averaging 28 points, 8 assists, and 9 rebounds per game on the year.
Brooklyn Nets betting preview
The Nets have clinched a playoff spot for the third season in a row now. All they have to do now is not go into the playoffs limping, they need some key players to start coming back from injury like James Harden and Nic Claxton, who have both missed several weeks in a row. Harden is recovering from a hamstring strain, and Claxton is returning from a stint with Covid-19. Since Kevin Durant’s return to the court, the Nets are 3-1, and Durant is averaging 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists per game to go along with Kyrie Irving averaging 27, 6, and 5 as well.
The Nets have been a middle of the pack team this season when it comes to betting them against the spread. With an overall record of 33-32 the Nets are 14th in the league against the spread. One bright spot for the Nets is that they are 22-18 when they have a full day rest between games, and they are also 10-8 this season as the away favorite against the spread. With Durant already back, Kyrie hasn’t given the Nets a headache and Harden returning soon, this Nets team is going to be scary come playoff time.
Dallas Mavericks betting preview
The Mavericks have battled their share of on and off the court issues this season, but the main one being Luka Doncic and star teammate Kristaps Porzingis aren’t friends outside of basketball and the many key injuries they’ve fought through. Luka is playing his best basketball of the season, collecting three straight 30 point games, with all three of those games ending in a Dallas win.
The Mavericks have been a decent team against the spread this season with an overall record of 31-34. They are also dead even as home underdogs this season with a record of 4-4. The Mavericks will need a miracle to win this game outright, but I think they could sneak out a cover if it gets as high as 7.5 or even 8.5, but from where it stands as of right now, I’ll take the Nets giving the points.
Brooklyn vs Dallas odds and lines
(Sportsbook here) has the odds opened with the Nets favored by 5 points with the over/under set at 232.5.
Free pick of the night:
My free pick of the night is Nets to cover -5.