The Charlotte Hornets (1-2) are in the Big D Wednesday to play the Dallas Mavericks (1-2) at 8:30 p.m. ET at the American Airlines Center. Below, we analyze the Hornets-Mavericks NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Hornets at Mavericks: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:45 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Hornets +290 (bet $100 to win $290) | Mavericks -375 (bet $375 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Hornets +8.5 (-110) | Mavericks -8.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 222.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Hornets at Mavericks: Key Injuries
Hornets
- C Cody Zeller (hand) out
Mavericks
- SG Josh Richardson (calf) questionable
- PF Kristaps Porzingis (knee) out
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Hornets at Mavericks: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Mavericks 115, Hornets 111
Money line (ML)
Charlotte notched a nice little upset as 11-point home ‘dogs over a fully loaded Brooklyn Nets team 106-104 in its last outing Sunday. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were amazing, but so was Hornets’ newly signed free agent Gordon Hayward who had a team-high 28 points on 12-for-20 shooting, 6 rebounds and 7 assists.
The Mavericks dropped an epic regular-season beatdown on the Los Angeles Clippers on their home floor, 124-73, on Dec. 27. Instead of listing outlandish stats from the Mavericks-Clippers box score, I’ll just say the only thing Los Angeles had more of than Dallas was fouls committed. It was 77-27 at halftime. Enough said.
While I don’t envision the Hornets being a contender, I do think they’ll be a tough out during the regular seasons for teams that are taking them lightly. Not to say that’s what Brooklyn did on Dec. 27, but the point is Charlotte has the talent and coaching to beat good teams.
I lean HORNETS (+290) for a quarter-unit because they are a live ‘dog, and I’m going to bet Charlotte plus the points heavier.
Against the spread (ATS)
Last season, these teams split their head-to-head with the road team winning both games. Coincidentally, the game Dallas won was the meeting that Luka Doncic was sidelined with an injury.
Also, last season, the Hornets had a winning ATS record as a road ‘dog (17-15-1 ATS) while the Mavericks had a losing ATS record as a home favorite (13-17-1 ATS). If the home-court edge is lessened because of the COVID-influenced atmosphere, doesn’t that help the Hornets in this spot?
GIMME HORNETS +8.5 (-110) for 1.5 units.
Over/Under (O/U)
PASS ON THE TOTAL.
It has only been a few games, but I was surprised to see Dallas has the 14th-rated defensive efficiency and the Hornets’ 11th. Charlotte playing at the seventh-fastest pace and Dallas second-slowest is also surprising, but if the Hornets push the pace I’d expect the Mavericks to welcome that since they led the NBA in offensive rating last year.
Bottom line: I don’t have a feel for the total.
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Also see:
- 10 bold NBA rookie class predictions for the 2020-21 season (Rookie Wire)
- Hoops Hype Rumors: Hornets | Mavericks
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