Even though the Dallas Cowboys aren’t playing today, Sunday brings the Dallas Mavericks (3-10) a chance to get a nice win before heading into the new week. The Mavericks are riding a three-game losing
streak coming into tonight’s contest against the Portland Trail Blazers (6-6), with all three of those losses coming at home.
Last time out, the Mavericks lost to the equally hapless Los Angeles Clippers in double OT of their NBA Cup group play game on Friday by the six, 133-127. The Blazers come into this game off of a blowout loss to the red hot Houston Rockets in their NBA Cup group stage game on Friday. Who will get the much needed victory?
Last week’s results
Houston 110, Dallas 102
David: 3-1 (+$176)
Tyler: 2-2 (-$7)
Overall: 5-3 (+$169)
Another great week by David carries us to a positive week. I need to get it turned around, and there’s no better time than now!
Year to date
David: 5-3 (+$287)
Tyler: 4-4 (-$38)
Overall: 9-7 (+$248)
Now that our housekeeping is out of the way, it’s time to get into this week’s handicap.
Game intangibles
Portland Trail Blazers (6-6) vs Dallas Mavericks (3-10)
Tipoff: 6:30p CT from the American Airlines Center in Dallas
How to watch: It’s standard operating procedures for this one. Mavs TV, KFAA Channel 29 or NBA League Pass, depending on where you are watching.
Game odds as of 12:00
Odds provided by the Fanduel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Wager responsibly!
Spread: Portland -3.5 (-114)
Over/Under: 235.5 (-112)
Moneyline: Dallas (+142)
David’s picks
- Portland -3.5 (-114)
- Jrue Holiday to record 2+ steals (+162)
- Klay Thompson under 9.5 points (-102)
- Dallas Mavericks team total under 116.5 (-106)
I expect the Mavericks to have an ugly offensive game. The Blazers sneakily have a lot of length and size, something the Mavericks players will struggle with. Jrue Holiday has had a resurgent year and should disrupt ball-handlers all night. Klay Thompson has had a couple solid outings in a row and I expect Portland’s length to disrupt him tonight. Dallas has only scored 117 points twice this year, and one of those was Friday’s double-overtime game. Expect the Blazers to win handily in a lower-scoring affair.
Tyler’s picks
- Game under 235.5 (-108)
- Deni Avdija over 36.5 points + rebounds + assists (-118)
- Donovan Clingan to record a double-double (+280)
- Cooper Flagg over 6.5 rebounds (+108)
The Mavericks, for all of their flaws, still guard you pretty hard. Portland, as David mentioned, has the length and bodies to make Dallas uncomfortable. It’s an under all the way. But, expect Avdija to pop off tonight, as he’s having a great year and always takes it to Dallas. I also like Clingan’s matchup here. Lively and Gafford don’t have the bulk to stop the 300-pound Clingan. Finally, to make up for the bigs, someone has to rebound the ball. I think it’ll be Flagg, who is coming off a nine rebound performance last week.
