The Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks play in an inter-conference battle on Monday. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Cavaliers-Mavericks prediction and pick.

The Cavaliers and Mavericks play on Monday, as each team will look for a win after struggling a bit of late. Each of these teams have lost four of their last five games. Cleveland has faced a brutal schedule of late, as they lost four straight games over a stretch in which they only faced the Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns. Dallas has scuffled over their last five as they also have faced some tough competition of late. Dallas comes into this spot as strong home favorites over the Cavaliers.

Here are the Cavaliers-Mavericks odds for this Monday NBA matchup, courtesy of FanDuel.

NBA Odds: Cavaliers-Mavericks Odds

Cleveland Cavaliers +6.5 (-110)

Dallas Mavericks -6.5 (-110)

Over 210.5 points (-110)

Under 210.5 points (-110)

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Why The Cavaliers Cover The Spread

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Cleveland comes into play at .500 with a 10-10 record. They are 5-4 away from home, and will look to improve on that record in Dallas on Monday. Evan Mobley is back from his elbow injury, as he and Jarrett Allen will look to lock down the paint vs. Luka Doncic and company. The Cavaliers are 4-6 in their last 10 games after starting the season 6-4. Cleveland sits ninth in the NBA in defensive rating, and they are likely better than that when Mobley is in the lineup. The Cavaliers are 13-5-2 against the spread this season, and could have a good shot at a cover and even a win vs. a cold Mavericks team. If the Cavaliers are going to cover or even win on Monday, they will need to bring their A-game for Doncic defensively.

Why The Mavericks Can Cover The Spread

Dallas comes in as perhaps bigger favorites than they should be in this spot. The Mavericks are 6-2 at home this season, so they do have that going for them. They come into play struggling a bit however as their point differential has fallen to -1.5 for the season despite them having a record of 10-8. Luka Doncic has been his usual self, but Dallas has ran into some tough opponents and just fell short a time or two too many. The Mavericks will be locked in looking for another home win on Monday vs. a team they should beat, but Cleveland may be able to hang around due to their defense.

The Mavericks are 8-10 vs. the spread this season, and it might be a risky play to bank on them to cover vs. a pesky Cavaliers group on Monday night.

Final Cavaliers-Mavericks Prediction & Pick

Take the Cavaliers and the points vs. the Mavericks on Monday. Cleveland has been an excellent defensive team with Mobley and Allen on the floor this season, and they just might be able to slow down Doncic and pull of the upset. However, Dallas is the better team and they will be looking to get back into a groove after losing four of give. The Mavericks probably come out with the win in this one, but the spread is a bit too high to bank on a cover. The under may also be an appealing play in this spot, as Dallas plays a slow pace and Cleveland gets stops.

FINAL CAVALIERS-MAVERICKS PREDICTION & PICK:  Cavaliers +6.5 (-110), under 210.5