The New Orleans Pelicans (26-35) visit the Big D on Wednesday for a 9:30 p.m. ET tip-off against the Dallas Mavericks (37-25) in the American Airlines Center. We analyze the Pelicans-Mavericks odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
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Pelicans at Mavericks: Key injuries
Pelicans
- SG Kenrich Williams (back) out
- SG J.J. Redick (hamstring) out
- SF Darius Miller (Achilles) out
Mavericks
- PG J.J. Barea (ankle) questionable
- SG Seth Curry (back) questionable
- C Willie Cauley-Stein (personal) questionable
- PG Jalen Brunson (shoulder) out
- PF Dwight Powell (Achilles) out
Pelicans at Mavericks: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Wednesday at 1:45 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Mavericks 123, Pelicans 119
Moneyline (ML)
The Pelicans are the second half of a back-to-back, losing 139-134 at home Tuesday to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Given the Pelicans’ playoff hopes, the loss to the crummy Timberwolves is an epic disappointment. The Mavericks took their own frustrating loss on the road to the Chicago Bulls, 109-107 on Monday to wrap up a four-game road trip. Since the Pelicans are in the midst of a five-team battle for the final Western Conference playoff spot this is a much more important game for them. So could the Pelicans win? Yes. Will I bet them? No. The Pelicans’ moneyline price (+195) isn’t good enough and laying $239 to earn a $100 profit if the Mavericks win is no bueno.
PASS ON THE MONEYLINE.
New to sports betting? A $100 wager on the Pelicans to win straight up would return a profit of $195.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The Mavericks -5.5 (-115) have blown out the Pelicans +5.5 (-106) in each of their last two meetings and are 3-0 against the Pelicans this season. Dallas beat New Orleans, 130-84, in their last game all the way back on Dec. 7. This meeting will be a little different though because the Mavericks will have to figure out a way to deal with rookie phenom Zion Williamson. Plus the Mavericks are just 12-17-1 ATS at home and the Pelicans are 15-13-2 on the road. Also, the Pelicans do oddly well when playing on zero rest. New Orleans is 5-3 straight up and 6-2 ATS with no days off.
TAKE PELICANS +5.5 (-106).
Over/Under (O/U)
It’s tough not seeing this game go OVER 238.5 (-110). The Mavericks have the second-highest percentage of Overs in the NBA and the Pelicans have the eighth. The Over is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings but the previous two Pelicans-Mavericks games went Under. However, that’s not the Mavericks’ fault since they scored 134 and 118, but because New Orleans failed to hit triple digits in those games. In the past 10 games, the Pelicans lead the NBA in points per game and Dallas is the third-highest scoring team this year.
I slightly LEAN OVER 238.5 (-110).
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