The Dallas Mavericks (23-45) are playing their second game in as many nights and their fourth in the last five days on Monday against the Pelicans in New Orleans. It is a tale of two tanks: one with real stakes, and a top-four pick on the line, and one with nothing to play for except the regret of dealing your pick for a lottery player last season. The Mavericks will have their main guys for the most part, and as of the time of writing, the Pelicans should have everyone as well. It won’t be a pretty
game, but it should be entertaining. Let’s get into today’s picks to make some money on an ugly March contest.
Game intangibles
Dallas Mavericks (23-45) at New Orleans Pelicans (22-46)
Tipoff: 7:00p CT at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA
How to watch: The game will be televised locally on KFAA Channel 29, or streaming on Mavs TV for anyone in the Mavericks media market. For those outside of the viewing area, NBA League Pass will have you covered.
Odds via the Fanduel Sportsbook as of 2:00PM CST
Spread: Dallas +8.5 (-106)
Over/Under: 240.5 (-108/-112)
Moneyline: Dallas +270
Player props
Naji Marshall to get 20+ points (+200)
Dejounte Murray to get 20+ points (+116)
Cooper Flagg will likely garner all of the Pelicans attention defensively, and Marshall is in a great spot to take advantage of a weak New Orleans paint defense. Murray, as the lead guard, should tear up the Mavericks’ lack of perimeter defense.
Game sides
Mavericks +8.5 (-106)
Under 240.5 points (-112)
This should be a close game. Cooper Flagg is suiting up, which means the Mavericks should not be 8.5 point underdogs to anyone, really. Tired legs will keep scoring down late, as well as the absence of Klay Thompson.
