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The Brooklyn Nets are hosting the Dallas Mavericks on the night after Kyrie Irving's 60-piece against the Orlando Magic. It's time to continue our NBA odds series with a Mavericks-Nets prediction and pick.
Dallas is coming off a close 95-92 win over the Boston Celtics on Sunday morning. Luka Doncic and company ruined the Celtics plans as it was Kevin Garnett's day at the TD Garden. Doncic and Spencer Dinwiddie both knocked down late three's to give the Mavs a much-needed win against the best defense in the NBA. The Mavs are now (42-26) on the season which is good for 5th in the Western Conference.
The Nets just destroyed the Magic last night as they should have. Because they are in New York, Irving will not play tonight. He just put on a clinic that put the NBA world in a frenzy. We need to seriously talk about that if Irving was available all season, he might be the top point guard in the NBA right now. The Nets would be lost without his contributions this season. Brooklyn will be a nightmare for any opponent in the playoffs.
Here are the Mavericks-Nets NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Mavericks-Nets Odds
Dallas Mavericks: -2.5 (-112)
Brooklyn Nets: +2.5 (-108)
Over: 221 (-110)
Under: 221 (-110)
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Why The Mavericks Could Cover The Spread
Dallas will have a slight advantage as they are coming off two days (really three including the rest of Sunday), while Brooklyn played last night. Without Irving, the Mavs will focus primarily on Kevin Durant, as well as trying to contain Seth Curry and Cam Thomas. However, Both Curry and Thomas are listed as questionable with injuries. If they don't suit up either, I think Dallas could run away with this game if they contain Durant.
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Durant will be their main focus and the Mavs will need to shut him down. Dallas provides a solid defense and can easily force the Nets to struggle. The Mavericks are allowing 106 points per game over their last 10 games and so they have done a great job of not letting opponents see much success. Brooklyn comes into this game averaging 118.5 points, but a lot of that has to do with the 150 points they scored against the Magic last night. 150 in regulation is just an absurd amount of points.
The Nets defeated the Mavs the last time they met back on Dec. 8. Durant scored 24 and Doncic scored 28 in the 3-point win for the Nets. I have a feeling this game should be similar. If Doncic can stay hot, the Mavs should be in a position to cover this spread.
Why The Nets Could Cover The Spread
Brooklyn is hot right now, winning their last four in a row. However, they are going up against the Mavs who have won eight of their last 10 games. Because Dallas' defense is elite, Brooklyn will more than likely struggle tonight. They are on a back-to-back, which is never easy in the NBA. Dallas has a lot more energy tonight as well as it will be almost three days since they have played last. Dallas is (19-14) on the road while Brooklyn struggles at home at (14-18).
The Nets come into this game as the underdogs at home which is the right decision. LaMarcus Aldridge is out with a hip injury, and Curry and Thomas both missed last night's game against the Magic. Brooklyn will need their depth tonight if they want to cover this spread. It's a small spread, so the Nets must keep this game close. Brooklyn is (26-40-2) against the spread while the Mavs are (39-28-1) ATS.
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Final Mavericks-Nets Prediction & Pick
I'm taking the Mavericks to cover this spread on the road. I believe Durant is enough for the Nets to compete, but the Mavs are hot and seem to be playing well defensively. That should benefit them tonight.
Final Mavericks-Nets Pick: Mavericks -2.5 (-112)
