The Brooklyn Nets will head down to the Lone Star State to take on the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Nets-Mavericks prediction and pick.
Brooklyn is in a battle for the top spot in the Eastern Conference as they sit just two games back of the 76ers coming in. They are in a more important battle with themselves to get healthy before the postseason begins, though. Dallas currently sits in the fifth seed out west and just a half-game out of the play-in tournament. The Mavericks have been playing well of late, going 7-3 in their last 10 games played to date.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Nets-Mavericks odds to make our prediction.
NBA Odds: Nets-Mavericks Odds
Brooklyn Nets -3.5 (-113)
Dallas Mavericks +3.5 (-107)
Over 234.5 Points (-110)
Under 234.5 Points (-110)
Why The Nets Could Cover The Spread
The Brooklyn Nets have had been on a rollercoaster run over the past few weeks as the season winds down. They've been flip-flopping with the 76ers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference for some time now. Brooklyn is currently riding a three-game losing streak, including two-straight losses against the third-seeded Milwaukee Bucks. The Nets now sit two games back of the top spot and their hopes of home court advantage throughout the playoffs are slipping away from them.
The Bucks have exposed just how important offense is for the Brooklyn Nets. Although Harden has been out for some time now, the Nets are just 4-11 in games that they fail to surpass 110 points in. Defense has been a huge issue for this group during the regular season and they will certainly need to tighten up their play on that end of the floor in these last few regular season games to gain momentum. With Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant continuing their dominant play on the offensive end, this team will be a terror once James Harden returns.
Why The Mavericks Could Cover The Spread
The Dallas Mavericks are in the heart of a crucial seeding battle with the Lakers and the Blazers. Dallas currently sits in the fifth spot in a tie with the Lakers. Portland currently sits in the seventh spot and is just a half-game behind the Mavs and Lakers. The Mavericks know the importance of maintaining their current seeding and guaranteeing at least one best-of-seven series in the postseason. The key for Dallas down the stretch will be the consistent health of Kristaps Porzingis.
Kristaps has missed 25 games this season and can't seem to string together multiple games played in a row. Porzingis has missed his team's last three games as he nurses his lower body injuries. Despite the absence of their key big-man, Dallas has still won seven of their last nine games with the only losses coming against the Sacramento Kings. In their most recent win against the Heat, Luka went for a double-double and Tim Hardaway Jr. dropped 36 points on 10 made three's. The Mavericks will look to continue their success as they're 4-1 ATS in their last five games as the underdog.
Final Nets-Mavericks Prediction & Pick
This game just has the feel of a get-right spot for the Nets. I wouldn't go as far as to say that Brooklyn is desperate for a win here, but they certainly know the importance of getting right with just a few games left to play. With the top spot in the east slipping away from them, the Nets now have to fend off the Bucks to at least maintain the second seed in the Eastern Conference. KD and Kyrie will match the play of Luka and the Mavs may go cold from beyond the arc as they try to keep up with the onslaught of Brooklyn scoring.
FINAL PICK: Brooklyn Nets -3.5 (-113)
Follow Us
Subscribe