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The Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs open their 2023-24 NBA regular seasons Wednesday at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. Tipoff is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Mavericks vs. Spurs odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; Mavericks won 3-1 last season
The Mavericks re-signed Kyrie Irving to a 3-year deal this past offseason while also re-upping with Seth Curry, keeping the core of the team together around superstar Luka Doncic. The team also added some quality depth pieces in Dante Exum and Grant Williams, while bringing back Dwight Powell.
The team got younger with the additions of Duke rookie Dereck Lively II and Olivier-Maxence Prosper in the draft, while jettisoning wing player Davis Bertans.
For the Spurs, they landed potential generational talent Victor Wembenyama with the No. 1 overall pick. San Antonio hopes to ride him from a 22-60 record, and the basement in the Southwest Division, to respectability for the proud city and franchise.
Mavericks at Spurs odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:26 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Mavericks -165 (bet $165 to win $100) | Spurs +140 (bet $100 to win $140)
- Against the spread (ATS): Mavericks -3.5 (-110) | Spurs +3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 229.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Mavericks at Spurs key injuries
Mavericks
- F Luka Doncic (calf) questionable
- G Jaden Hardy (ankle) questionable
- G Kyrie Irving (groin) questionable
- F Dwight Powell (illness) questionable
Spurs
- F Zach Collins (illness) questionable
- G Devonte’ Graham (suspension) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Mavericks at Spurs picks and predictions
Prediction
Spurs 114, Mavericks 111
Moneyline
The SPURS (+140) are a solid value as San Antonio turns the page on dark times, and begins the Wemby Era at the newly christened Frost Bank Arena.
The Mavericks (-165) won 3 of the 4 regular-season meetings in 2022-23, but San Antonio didn’t have the towering Frenchman clogging up the paint, and Dallas has some banged up stars emerging from the preseason.
Doncic practiced twice this week, but wouldn’t commit to playing the opener due to a strained left calf. If he can’t go, that’s a major problem. And Irving is dealing with a wonky groin, and if the past is any indication, he isn’t exactly keen on playing through nagging injuries.
Against the spread
The SPURS +3.5 (-110) are worth a look catching nearly 2 buckets, if you just can’t bring yourself to take San Antonio straight up.
The Mavericks -3.5 (-110) are nicked up a little, and even if Doncic and Irving are available, I really like San Antonio to begin this new era in style. It will be interesting to see how Wemby jells with Jeremy Sochan, Devin Vassell and the rest of the young, emerging stars down south.
Over/Under
UNDER 229.5 (-110) is the play in this Lone Star State battle.
There’s a new sheriff in town in the Alamo City, and this isn’t going to be a defensively-challenged team literally getting dunked up for cheap points. San Antonio will make teams work much harder with the rookie altering shots down low.
For this opener, which focuses a lot on the No. 1 overall player drafted, let’s take WEMBENYAMA – OVER 24.5 POINTS + REBOUNDS (-125) at FanDuel Sportsbook in the “Player Pts + Reb” prop section.
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