The San Antonio Spurs (0-2) battle against the Dallas Mavericks (1-1) Saturday. Tip-off from American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, is set for 8 p.m. ET. Let's analyze NBA odds around the Spurs vs. Mavericks odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
2025-26 season series: Spurs won 4-0
San Antonio was stunned when C Victor Wembanyama had his game-tying layup attempt blocked with less than a second remaining on the clock, resulting in a 114-110 loss against the Houston Rockets Friday. The Spurs failed to cover as 4.5-point home favorites, while the Under (224.5) cashed in the loss. After being No. 2 in the NBA with 47 rebounds per game last season, the Spurs have lost the rebounding battle in back-to-back games to start
the season.
Dallas routed the Indiana Pacers 121-105 Friday while covering as a 7.5-point road underdog as the Under (241.5) hit. G Kyrie Irving looked like his old self just 2 games after returning from an ACL injury, finishing with 24 points on 8-for-15 shooting (53.3%). F P.J. Washington went off for 20 points and 13 boards as well. The win wasn't all good, though; F Cooper Flagg went down late in the second quarter after being flagrantly fouled by Pacers F Aaron Nesmith on a fast break, and he did not return.
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Spurs at Mavericks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:30 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Spurs -625 (bet $625 to win $100) | Mavericks +450 (bet $100 to win $450)
- Against the spread (ATS): Spurs -12.5 (-110) | Mavericks +12.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 231.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Spurs at Mavericks key injuries
Spurs
(Not yet submitted -- below was for Friday's game)
- G De'Aaron Fox (wrist) questionable
- F Tobias Harris (calf) out
- F Keldon Johnson (laceration) questionable
- F Jaydan Quaintance (knee) out
Mavericks
(Not yet submitted -- below was for Friday's game)
- F Santi Aldama (knee) out
- C Dereck Lively II (foot) out
- F Caleb Martin (thumb) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Spurs at Mavericks picks and predictions
Prediction
Spurs 116, Mavericks 96
Moneyline
PASS.
The Spurs will win and cover here as -625 favorites, especially if Flagg is unable to go, but they are not worth the risk of backing as such heavy favorites, so pass and bet on the spread and/or total instead.
Against the spread
BET SPURS -12.5 (-110).
The Mavs don't have a big who can deal with Wembanyama, so look for this to be the most dominant outing that Wemby has had this season. C Daniel Gafford has not played over 22 minutes in a game this season, and he is averaging just 3 points and 3 rebounds this season, and there isn't a backup who is a threat to Wemby on either side of the ball. With Flagg out, Dallas' offense will also be missing its most versatile piece and one of its main ball-handlers, so look for the Spurs to take advantage and pressure ball-handlers to force turnovers.
If Flagg plays, this switches to a LEAN SPURS -12.5 (-110), but it seems unlikely that he will play, and it is also likely that G Kyrie Irving doesn't play here as this is the second night of a back-to-back.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 231.5 (-110).
With Flagg out, Dallas' already questionable offense gets a lot easier to guard, so expect that San Antonio's defense looks dominant here. On the other side, the Spurs will be able to get whatever they want for the most part, but they are still working out the kinks in their 3-guard lineup, so don't expect the Spurs to go and put up 130 points.
This is a lean because the Over has hit in all of the last 3 matchups between these squads, but in all of those matchups, the Mavs put up at least 120 points, and Flagg played, so that likely won't happen here.
Best prop bet
Spurs G STEPHON CASTLE OVER 17.5 POINTS (-110).
In his last 3 games against Dallas, Castle has averaged 26.7 points per game, and his lowest point total in those games was 18. The Mavs don't have a guard that can stay in front of Castle, and they'll likely leave Castle wide open from three so that they can put as many bodies as possible around Wemby. So look for him to have plenty of scoring opportunities in this game.
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks odds, picks and predictions
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