The Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans for their first of four games this season. This game will continue our NBA odds series with a Mavericks-Pelicans prediction and pick. We will also let you know how to watch the game.

The Mavericks are 7-2, and are coming off a win against the Los Angeles Clippers. In that win, they put up 144 points. The Mavericks score at will, and that is thanks to Luka Doncic. Doncic averages 32.9 points per game, and 8.4 assists. To go along with that, he grabs 8.9 rebounds. Kyrie Irving scores over 21.0 points per game while Time Hardaway Jr, and Grant Williams also score in the double-digits. As a team, the Mavericks are scoring 122.8 points per game.

The Pelicans are 4-5, but they have lost four games in a row. Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, and C.J McCollum are scoring over 20.0 points per game, so he Pelicans have a solid big-3. However, McCollum is dealing with a collapsed lung, so he is out for the time being. Ingram, and Williamson have both missed some games, as well. Jordan Hawkins is having a solid rookie year, and Jonas Valanciunas is leading 1.4 rebounds per game away from averaging a double-double.

Here are the NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

NBA Odds: Mavericks-Pelicans Odds

Dallas Mavericks: -2.5 (-110)

New Orleans Pelicans: +2.5 (-110)

Over: 234 (-110)

Under: 234. (-110)

How to Watch Mavericks vs. Pelicans

Time: 7 PM ET/4 PM PT

TV: Bally Sports New Orleans, Bally Sports Southwest

Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)

Why The Mavericks Could Cover The Spread

The Mavericks offense is very good, and they are at full health. Doncic, and Irving are finally complimenting each other on the court, and it is a thing of beauty. Hardaway Jr is having his best scoring season since joining the Mavericks, as well. Dallas finds ways to put up a lot of points no matter who they are playing. If the Mavericks can continue to score as they have been, they will cover the spread.

If you are someone that likes the analytics, and stats, Dallas is a fun team to keep track of. They are seventh in field goal percentage, first in three-point percentage, and they turn the ball over the third-fewest times per game in the NBA. As long as Dallas keeps it up, they should cover the spread.

Why The Pelicans Could Cover The Spread

For as good as the Mavericks are on offense, they struggle to defend. Dallas allows the eighth-most points per game, fourth-highest field goal percentage, so the Pelicans need to take advantage. McCollum is out, but Ingram, and Williamson will be playing this game. Those two players are more than good enough to put up 25 points each, and lead their team to a win, or at least cover the spread.

The Pelicans do play decent defense. Their perimeter defense is some of the best in the NBA, though. Opponents are shooting just 31.3 percent from deep against the Pelicans this season. What is even more impressive about that is the fact that opponents are shooting the fifth-most threes against New Orleans. The Pelicans are going to make it very hard for Dallas to get hot from deep, and that is a big part of their game.

Final Mavericks-Pelicans Prediction & Pick

This game should actually be closer than one would think. That is why the spread is listed at just 2.5. This game will come down to if the Mavericks can get hot from deep. They are a team that relies on the three, so they need to knock them down. I think it is going to be very tough, but Dallas will do enough to walk away with the win. I am taking the Mavericks to cover the spread.

Final Mavericks-Pelicans Prediction & Pick: Mavericks -2.5 (110), Over 234 (-110)