The Milwaukee Bucks (55-14) face the Dallas Mavericks (41-30) Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET in the NBA’s Orlando bubble. We analyze the Bucks-Mavericks NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Bucks vs. Mavericks: Key injuries
Bucks
- None
Mavericks
- PG Jalen Brunson (shoulder) out
- SG Seth Curry (leg) probable
- SG Courtney Lee (calf) out
- PF Dwight Powell (Achilles) out
- PF Dorian Finney-Smith (hip) questionable
- C Willie Cauley-Stein (personal) out
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Bucks vs. Mavericks: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 5:05 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Bucks 122, Mavericks 120
Moneyline (ML)
The Bucks (-209) rallied from a 23-point deficit to beat the Miami Heat 130-116 Thursday, covering a 9.5-point spread and locking up the No. 1 seed in the East. Milwaukee had lost the previous two games and are now 2-2 in the restart.
The Mavericks (+170) have lost three of four games in the bubble including their last game against the Los Angeles Clippers, 126-111. Dallas won its first meeting with Milwaukee this season 120-116, despite All-Star PG Luka Doncic sitting out, and Bucks F Giannis Antetokounmpo going off for 48 points and 14 rebounds.
Curry was a key contributor in that win, scoring 26 points off the bench, and it’s looking like he’s available for Saturday’s game. Dallas will need all hands on deck to beat Milwaukee.
Aside from Thursday’s blowout loss to the Clippers, all of the Mavericks’ games have been decided by a possession or two. But winning close games has been an issue for Dallas all season. It is 2-10 in games decided by three or fewer points and Milwaukee has an NBA-high +2.5 fourth-quarter margin.
I think Dallas loses another close game but Milwaukee (-209) is too expensive to take it straight up. PASS ON THE MONEYLINE.
Also see:
- Media poll points to Giannis as MVP (HoopsHype)
- HoopsHype – The latest NBA coverage
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
In a game as high-scoring as basketball, it’s tough taking the points with a team you think will lose, but that’s what we got going on here. The shooting and floor spacing Curry will add to the Mavericks offense will help them score vs. the Bucks.
Dallas has a 4-1-1 ATS record when getting 5-7 points. Milwaukee is 4-4 ATS when laying that many points. The Bucks are 1-7-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings. TAKE MAVERICKS +5.5 (-110).
New to sports betting? A $110 bet on the Mavericks +5.5 (-110) will earn a $100 profit if Dallas wins or loses by 5 or fewer points.
Over/Under (O/U)
Dallas needs to get buckets if it is going to hang with Milwaukee. Fortunately for the Mavericks, they score the third-most points per game and have the most efficient offense in the NBA.
The Bucks have the most efficient defense despite giving up the most 3-point attempts in the league. The Mavericks have the 10th ranked 3-point shooting team in the NBA so it wouldn’t be wise to let them shoot.
The Over is 25-11 in the last 36 meetings and this game will go OVER 236.5 (-110).
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