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The New Orleans Pelicans (4-10) and Dallas Mavericks (7-7) meet Tuesday for NBA Cup group play. Tip-off from the American Airlines Center is set for 8:30 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Pelicans vs. Mavericks odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; split last season 2-2
The Pelicans are among the most injured teams in the league. They’ve lost 7 of their last 8 games, but have managed to cover the spread in 2 straight. New Orleans is coming off a 104-99 loss as an 8-point underdog to the visiting Los Angeles Lakers Saturday with the Under (220.5) hitting.
The Mavericks have won and covered back-to-back games after an 0-4 straight-up (SU) skid Nov. 8-14 — they went 0-3-1 against the spread (ATS). They upset the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-119 as 7-point road underdogs Sunday while the Over (225.5) cashed.
Each team covered twice in 4 meetings last season, while the Over went 3-1. In the final meeting Jan. 15, Dallas won 125-120 as a 5-point home underdog while the Over (236) hit. G Kyrie Irving (42 points) and G Tim Hardaway Jr. (41) — who is now with the Detroit Pistons — led the team in scoring in the absence of G Luka Doncic, as he was out with a sprained ankle.
Pelicans at Mavericks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NBA odds. Lines last updated at 11:22 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pelicans +525 (bet $100 to win $525) | Mavericks -750 (bet $750 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Pelicans +11.5 (-105) | Mavericks -11.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 222.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Pelicans at Mavericks key injuries
Pelicans
- G Jose Alvarado (hamstring) out
- G Jordan Hawkins (back) out
- F Herbert Jones (shoulder) out
- G CJ McCollum (adductor) out
- G Dejounte Murray (hand) out
- F Zion Williamson (hamstring) out
Mavericks
- G Luka Doncic (knee) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Pelicans at Mavericks picks and predictions
Prediction
Pelicans 110, Mavericks 109
Moneyline
This is a perfect sandwich game for the Mavericks. Dallas is coming off an upset win Sunday over the Thunder, who are regarded as the best team in the West, and its next game on the schedule is nationally televised on ESPN at the Denver Nuggets Friday.
Whether or not Doncic plays, it’s going to be tough for the Mavericks to have any motivation for this game, especially since the Thunder and Nuggets games mean so much more.
Place 1/3 of your bet on PELICANS (+525).
Against the spread
Even though the Mavericks are in a let-down spot, it’s unlikely that the Pelicans will win SU, so the best way to play this is to split the wager between the ML and the spread.
Place 2/3 of your bet on PELICANS +11.5 (-105).
Over/Under
The Under has hit in 3 straight games for the Pelicans. They’ve been improving defensively and allowed 107 or fewer points in 4 straight games. New Orleans is the team with more motivation in this matchup, and most of its paths to winning involve keeping the game low-scoring.
BET UNDER 222.5 (-115).
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