The New Orleans Pelicans (19-25) host the Dallas Mavericks (23-20) Saturday at Smoothie King Center for a 9 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we analyze the Mavericks-Pelicans odds and lines, with NBA picks and predictions.
Dallas had its two-game win streak snapped last night after a 109-94 loss vs. the Indiana Pacers and were 1.5-point underdogs because MVP candidate Luka Doncic was unable to play in the game.
Since the All-Star break, the Mavs have been inconsistent, going 4-4 overall and ATS.
New Orleans also had its two-game win streak broken, losing to the Denver Nuggets 113-108 Thursday as 2.5-point home favorites after beating them in Denver Sunday.
The Pelicans have the same straight-up record as the Mavs since the All-Star Game but are 5-3 ATS.
The Mavs scored the most points against the Pelicans of any opponent this season in their 143-130 victory in the first meeting of the season on Feb. 12. Dallas has won five straight over New Orleans (5-1 ATS).
Luka went off for 46 points on 56.7% shooting (5-of-8 from three) with 8 rebounds and 12 assists.
Mavericks at Pelicans: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:40 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Mavericks -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Pelicans -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Mavericks +1 (-115) | Pelicans -1 (-105)
- Over/Under: 229.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Mavericks at Pelicans: Key injuries
Mavericks
- C Willie Cauley-Stein (health and safety protocols) probable
- PG Luka Doncic (back) questionable
- PF Kristaps Porzingis (rest) questionable
- SG J.J. Redick (heel) out
Pelicans
- PF James Johnson (acquisition) out
- PG Lonzo Ball (hip) out
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Mavericks at Pelicans: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Pelicans 122, Mavericks 112
Money line (ML)
The PELICANS (-105) are the right side because they are healthier, Zion Williamson has taken his game to another level since the All-Star break and both Luka and KP are questionable to play in this game.
Zion is averaging 28.0 points per game on 73% true shooting with 6.6 rebounds per game in his eight contests since the All-Star Game.
The first Mavericks-Pelicans meeting was essentially a game of NBA Jam with New Orleans’ Zion and Brandon Ingram combining for 66 of the Pelicans’ 130 points whereas Luka and KP combined for 82 of the Mavs’ 143 points.
In this game, New Orleans outscored Dallas 54-42 in the paint and Zion (who’s leading the NBA in paint points per game) scored 28 of his 36 points in the paint.
BET PELICANS -1 (-105) for 1 unit.
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Against the spread (ATS)
PASS because this is pretty much a coin-flip game and there’s no value in the points here. However, I’d bet the Pelicans up to -3 should the spread move in that direction.
Over/Under (O/U)
Slight LEAN toward OVER 232.5 (-110) for a quarter-unit, but would feel more confident in it if Luka and KP can play.
However, Dallas is 10th in effective field goal shooting, New Orleans has the worst 3-point defense in the Association and the Pelicans are 19-5 O/U at home this season.
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Also see:
- Bet Slippin’ Podcast: 2021 MLB National League Betting Preview
- David Griffin says Lonzo Ball has made it ‘very clear’ he wants to remain in New Orleans (Lonzo Wire)
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