The Dallas Mavericks (48-29) visit the Capital One Arena Friday to take on the Washington Wizards (33-43). Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Mavericks vs. Wizards odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Mavericks come into the game on a 3-game winning streak and have won 5 of their last 6. They’ve also covered 5 of their last 6, pushing the Mavs’ against the spread (ATS) record to 43-33-1.
Dallas is led by superstar G Luka Doncic who averages a team-high 28.1 points, 8.6 assists and 9.2 rebounds per game. The Mavs sit in third place in the Western Conference.
Washington, once looked at as a playoff-caliber team, has slipped to 12th in the Eastern Conference and trail the 10th-place Hawks by 6.5 games.
The Wizards been playing solid basketball of late and have won 3 of their last 4 games (3-1 ATS). Washington is 5-3 ATS in its last 8 games and 30-44-2 ATS on the season.
This will be the first time these two teams have met since their blockbuster trade, sending G Spencer Dinwiddie to Washington for F Kristaps Porzingis, among other moving parts in that deal.
Mavericks at Wizards odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:03 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Mavericks -450 (bet $450 to win $100) | Wizards +330 (bet $100 to win $330)
- Against the spread (ATS): Mavericks -8.5 (-110) | Wizards +8.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 217.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Mavericks at Wizards key injuries
Mavericks
- G Tim Hardaway Jr. (foot) out
Home
- F Kyle Kuzma (knee) out
- G Bradley Beal (wrist) out
[tipico]
Mavericks at Wizards odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Mavericks 109, Wizards 104
Money line
PASS.
The Mavericks are the far better team and are trying to lock up the third spot in the West. Betting on them at -450 on the road still makes little sense given the potential return.
The same can be said about betting the Wizards to win without Beal. Ultimately, the money line is a strong pass.
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Against the spread
LEAN to the WIZARDS +8.5 (-110).
The Wizards have been playing well lately and they’ve done it behind Porzingis, who scored 35 points and shot 11-for-18 from the field in Wednesday’s 127-110 against the Magic.
With F Deni Avdija, F Rui Hachimura and G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the Wizards should have enough talent to keep this game close. While the Mavs have been good the last 3 games, they’re just 5-4 ATS in their last 9.
Given that Doncic should be followed by a defensive-minded player and the Wizards have both length and size to throw at the Dallas star, they should be able to keep this one within single digits.
Per pregame.com, 73% of the tickets and 77% of the handle is on the Mavericks, so expect the line is continue to move in the Wizards favor. I would wait to play this closer to tip to ensure you get the best line possible.
Over/Under
BET the UNDER 217.5 (-110).
If there’s one thing Doncic and the Mavericks do not do, it is play with pace. They rank 30th in pace in the league. G Jalen Brunson and Doncic prefer half-court offense over transition.
Along with a defense that ranks second in opponents’ points per game, I expect them to slow down a Wizards team without its top scorer. The Mavs are 2-4 O/U in their last 6. Washington is also 2-4 O/U.
Lastly, this is a “pros vs. joes” game with over 90% of the money on the Under yet 62% of tickets on the Over. Betting with the money is typically the more profitable angle, and it’s the best bet in this game as well.
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