We're back once more with a betting prediction and pick for the final matchup of today's NBA slate coming in the Western Conference. The Dallas Mavericks (12-21) will take on the Portland Trail Blazers (13-19) for the second time this season, Dallas leading the series 1-0. Check our NBA odds series for the Mavericks-Blazers prediction and pick.
The Dallas Mavericks are 12th in the Western Conference, most recently falling 113-107 to the Sacramento Kings. After winning six of eight games, they've dropped four of their last five and are hoping to bounce back as the short betting underdogs in this one.
The Portland Trail Blazers are 10th in the Western Conference, most recently upsetting the Boston Celtics 114-108. The win snapped a three-game losing skid and they're still 4-6 over their last 10, but this game as the betting favorites offers a chance for them to get back in the win column against another sub-.500 team.
NBA odds courtesy of DraftKings
Mavericks vs. Blazers Odds
Dallas Mavericks: +2.5 (-115)
Portland Trail Blazers: -2.5 (-105)
Over: 232.5 (-112)
Under: 232.5 (-108)
Mavericks vs. Blazers Key Injuries
Dallas: Brandon Williams (calf – Probable) / Anthony Davis (abductor – Questionable) / Dante Exum (knee – OUT) / Kyrie Irving (knee – OUT) / Dereck Lively II (foot – OUT)
Portland: Kris Murray (quad – Questionable) / Robert Williams III (knee – Questionable) / Jerami Grant (achilles – OUT) / Scoot Henderson (hamstring – OUT) / Jrue Holiday (calf – OUT) / Damian Lillard (achilles – OUT) / Matisse Thybule (thumb – OUT) / Blake Wesley (foot – OUT)
Mavericks vs. Blazers Betting Trends
- The Portland Trail Blazers are 6-9 at home. The Dallas Mavericks are 3-12 on the road.
- The Blazers are 5-6 as betting favorites. The Mavericks are 8-15 as the underdog.
- The Blazers are 16-15-1 ATS overall, 8-7 ATS at home. The Mavericks are 15-18 ATS overall, 5-10 ATS on the road.
- The Mavericks are 8-2 outright, 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games against the Blazers.
- The Mavericks are 1-4 ATS in their last five games.
- The Blazers are 3-6 ATS in their last nine games.
- The total has gone UNDER in Portland's last five games.
- The total has gone OVER in seven of the Mavericks' last 10 games.
Keys to Mavericks vs. Blazers Matchup
The Blazers and Mavericks meet for the second time this season following a 138-133 overtime win for the Mavericks. Despite a massive 36-point game from Blazers' Shaedon Sharpe, the Mavericks had seven players scoring double-digits, led by a team-high 21 points from rookie Cooper Flagg. Flagg has shown tremendous growth in his rookie year and has single-handedly won the Mavericks a number of games throughout this season. With the key players of Portland out on the injury report, this could be another game where Falgg takes over with his scoring and lifts the Mavericks to a win.
The Portland Trail Blazers have also won some unlikely games thanks to their young core, namely Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe. Sharpe is averaging 22.0 PPG, the highest mark of his career thus far. Avdija is also averaging a career-high 25.5 PPG, ranking him 15th in the NBA. He's also 15th with 6.8 assists per game, serving as their primary facilitator. With 24.9 PPG over the last 10 games, he's certainly leading the charge in terms of scoring and will be a huge factor throughout this game.
Mavericks' Anthony Davis is ‘questionable' ahead of this game as he adds a whole new layer to their defense with his shot-blocking presence. The combination of both him and Flagg in the low posts is what drives the Mavericks' scoring, so expect Dallas to have a serious edge if Davis is able to play in this game.
Mavericks vs. Blazers Prediction and Pick
The Mavericks and Blazers should be in for another close meeting as their first game went into overtime, but the Mavericks could have a serious edge here if Anthony Davis is able to play. The main scoring threats and playmakers for the Blazers have been out for quite some time, but their bench and role players have proved to be a scrappy bunch in close games.
While Donovan Clingan and Deni Avdija stand to have solid games in this one, the Dallas Mavericks should have the upper hand on both sides of the floor. Expect a big game out of Cooper Flagg as he leads the scoring charge, resulting in a likely win and cover for the Dallas Mavericks as underdogs.
Final Mavericks-Blazers Prediction & Pick: Dallas Mavericks +2.5 (-115); UNDER 232.5 (-108)
