The Dallas Mavericks (6-7) stop by Bankers Life Fieldhouse Wednesday for a 7 p.m. ET game with the Indiana Pacers (8-5). Below, we analyze the Mavericks-Pacers NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Dallas is on a three-game losing skid and is just 1-3 (2-2 against the spread) since PF Kristaps Porzingis made his season debut Jan. 13 against the Charlotte Hornets. The Mavericks were boat raced in Tampa, Fla., against the Toronto Raptors (you read that right) 116-93 Monday. They continue to struggle offensively as the Mavs shot just 37.8% from the field (25% from behind the arc) and are 22nd in offensive rating on the season.
The Pacers went into Los Angeles on a two-game win streak but were drubbed this past Sunday 129-96 by the Clippers as 8-point road underdogs. Indiana was without its defensive anchor in C Myles Turner and it showed.
Indiana was abused defensively, being outscored 56-48 by Los Angeles in the paint and allowing the Clippers to hit 55.2% of their shots (48.7% on threes). The Pacers are back in Indiana following a four-game road trip in which they were 2-2 (2-2 ATS).
These teams split last season’s series with each winning and covering the spread as a road underdog. Ironically, the matchup the Mavs won was when they were missing MVP candidate Luka Doncic (a 112-103 win in February).
Mavericks at Pacers: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:30 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Mavericks -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Pacers +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Mavericks -1.5 (-110) | Pacers +1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 218.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Mavericks at Pacers: Key Injuries
Mavericks
- SG Tim Hardaway Jr. (groin) probable
- SF Dorian Finney-Smith (COVID-19) out
- PF Maxi Kleber (COVID-19) out
- C Dwight Powell (COVID-19) out
- SG Josh Richardson (COVID-19) out
Pacers
- SG Jeremy Lamb (knee) questionable
- C Myles Turner (hand) questionable
- SF Caris LeVert (medical condition) out
- SF T.J. Warren (foot) out
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Mavericks at Pacers: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Pacers 111, Mavericks 105
Money line (ML)
Mavericks-Pacers is definitely a game where you’d want to follow the injury report because if Turner cannot play, this is a PASS. A struggling Dallas offense would really benefit if Indiana doesn’t have its best defender on the floor.
Otherwise, Indiana attacks the rim more than any team in the NBA and Dallas is terrible at defending at the rim. The Mavs are going to be without two bigs in Kleber and Powell, and an above-average wing defender in Finney-Smith.
Along similar lines, the Pacers get the fifth-most points per play on putbacks in the NBA according to CleaningTheGlass.com while the Mavericks give up the third-most points per play on putbacks. And, again, the Mavs are without a couple of bigs.
I like PACERS (+100) for a half-unit to pick up a win here (pending the final injury report).
Against the spread (ATS)
PASS ON THE SPREAD, stick with the money line.
Over/Under (O/U)
Dallas and Indiana are two of the top-5 transition defenses in the league and both run a below-average tempo offense. While Pacers opponents are shooting the second-highest percentage from 3-point range, Indiana at least does a good job of contesting threes (third in 3-pointers allowed) and the Mavs shoot the three at the 25th-best clip.
Finally, Indiana’s bench scores the third-fewest points per game and the Pacers are dealing with injuries as well. I’m on UNDER 218.5 (-110) for a half-unit.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Also see:
- NBA Power Rankings: Lakers stay on top, while Nets make a big jump (Rookie Wire)
- Hoops Hype Rumors: Mavericks | Pacers
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