Dallas Mavericks at San Antonio Spurs odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s Dallas Mavericks at San Antonio Spurs sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Dallas Mavericks (39-26) visit the San Antonio Spurs (26-36) Tuesday at AT&T Center for an 8 p.m. ET tip-off. We analyze the Mavericks-Spurs odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Both teams lost Sunday. The Mavericks dropped a 112-109 decision at home to the Indiana Pacers, while the Spurs fell 132-129 in overtime at the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Mavs are in seventh in the Western Conference, while the Spurs are five games out of the final playoff spot.

The Mavs eye a 4-0 sweep vs. the Spurs after taking the first three regular-season matchups. Dallas won two at home, covering a 5-point spread in a 117-110 win Nov. 18 and failing to cover an 8-point spread with a 102-98 win Dec. 26. The Mavs covered as 4-point favorites in San Antonio 109-103 Feb. 26. Only the first game in Dallas played to the Over.


Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.


Mavericks at Spurs: Key injuries

Mavericks

  • PG Jalen Brunson (shoulder) out
  • C Willie Cauley-Stein (illness) out
  • SG Seth Curry (ankle) out
  • SG Luka Doncic (wrist) questionable
  • SF Dorian Finney-Smith (hip) questionable
  • SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (illness) out
  • C Dwight Powell (Achilles) out

Spurs

  • PF LaMarcus Aldridge (shoulder) doubtful
  • PG Dejounte Murray (calf) out
  • C Jakob Poeltl (knee) out
  • SG Lonnie Walker IV (shin) questionable

Mavericks at Spurs: 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 at 12:15 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Mavericks 119, Spurs 112

Moneyline (ML)

AVOID. Dallas (-167) is dealing with numerous injuries, but the main one is Doncic, who leads the Mavs with 28.5 points per game. If he plays, the Mavs are a lock to win. If he sits, this could go either way, but I’m PASSING on a moneyline play either way.

New to sports betting? Every $1.67 wagered on the Mavs’ ML would profit $1 if they win, while every $1 wagered on the Spurs ML (+140) would profit $1.40 if the Spurs prevail.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

If Doncic plays, the MAVERICKS (-3.5, –115) are the STRONGEST PLAY. The Mavs are 13-3 against the spread in their last 16 trips to San Antonio. Plus, the Spurs are currently on an 0-7 ATS run versus anyone.

Want more? Dallas is 20-9-2 ATS on the road this season and 12-4-1 ATS as a road dog.

Every $1.10 wagered on the Mavericks’ spread will profit $1 if they win by 4 or more points, but make sure Doncic is in the lineup!

Over/Under (O/U)

Because of all the injuries, the OVER 227.5 (-110) is only a small-unit play. The Mavericks rank third in scoring at 116.5 PPG and own the NBA’s second-best O/U record at 40-25. The Spurs are the No. 1 Over team at 38-23-1.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Johnny’s record since Feb. 1: 17-8. Strongest plays: 10-3.

Since Dec. 1: 54-33-2. Strongest plays: 31-12.

Follow @JohnnyParlay11 and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Stephen A. Smith adds Gregg Popovich to list of candidates for Nets’ head coaching job

Stephen A. Smith thinks future Hall of Famer and current San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich would be a great fit for the Nets.

After he spent some time playing under Gregg Popovich, Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks returned to the San Antonio Spurs organization once he retired and got into the coaching ranks.

Marks is not the only one to come out of San Antonio and find success. Though, the Nets general manager is now in a bit of a predicament with Kenny Atkinson out as head coach. Marks has the superstars every team could want in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, but the Brooklyn still needs someone to steer the ship.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith thinks Marks should look into his past to find the answer:

There’s only three candidates for this job as far as I’m concerned. Ty Lue … Mark Jackson, or if Sean Marks can get the one and only Gregg Popovich to leave San Antonio. Those are the three and not necessarily in that order.

Smith continued:

I’m just saying if Sean Marks was able to convince Gregg Popovich to come to Brooklyn, ’cause you gotta remember Gregg Popovich, you’re seeing Tim Duncan, you got Becky Hammon, you got these folks on his bench that he wants to elevate. I’m not saying anything other than Sean Marks, closely associated to Gregg Popovich, if you could get the great Gregg Popovich to come to Brooklyn, well then that’s a deal. That’s a big-time move right there,

Popovich might be a tough get, but there’s no question Smith is right: if the legendary coach took over in Brooklyn, that would be another big step for the franchise.

Who’s made the most money on losing teams? Stephon Marbury and it’s not even close

We went back through the history books to find the 20 NBA players who have earned the most money while playing for losing clubs.

Usually, NBA teams have the goal of paying their top athletes boatloads of money in hopes of having those players lead their franchises to the playoffs and beyond. Of course, things don’t always work out that way. Sometimes, injuries take place and get in the way of even the savviest or safest of plans. And other times, the talent on the rest of the roster behind the max-level players isn’t up to par, bringing the team as a whole down.

Below, we break down the 20 players who have earned the most money from teams with losing records.

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

15. TYSON CHANDLER

Total years played: 19
Years with losing record: 10
Earnings with losing teams: $85,919,258 ($96,697,515 adjusted to inflation)

He’s made the playoffs nine times and has an NBA title on his resume, but Tyson Chandler has actually spent the majority of his career on losing teams and been paid handsomely during his times on those teams. His three-plus year stint with the Phoenix Suns particularly stands out in that regard.

14. BROOK LOPEZ

Total years played: 11
Years with losing record: 8
Earnings with losing teams: $89,030,768 ($95,624,188)

Floor-spacing center Brook Lopez has been doing a whole lot of winning over the past season and a half, but this is a recent development. Prior to 2018-19 with the Milwaukee Bucks, Lopez had only made the playoffs twice in his career and had actually endured eight losing seasons out of his first 10 as a professional. Those New Jersey and then Brooklyn Nets teams were usually pretty bad.

13. BARON DAVIS

Total years played: 15
Years with losing record: 7
Earnings with losing teams: $91,180,000 ($109,914,185)

Baron Davis was as entertaining a point guard as any during his prime, with solid athleticism and eye-popping ball-handling abilities, with impressive vision as a passer, to boot. He made the playoffs each of the first five years of his career but only made it twice more over the final 10 seasons he spent in the NBA, a byproduct of spending time on struggling Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers teams.

12. ZACH RANDOLPH

Total years played: 18
Years with losing record: 8
Earnings with losing teams: $92,170,939 ($108,543,128)

A cult hero for his time with the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph won more than he lost in his career, as fewer than half of his 18 career seasons had a losing record attached to them. At his peak, Randolph was earning $17.8 million per season and did so as a member of the successful Grit-and-Grind Grizzlies, who usually performed well in the playoffs.

11. KOBE BRYANT

Total years played: 20
Years with losing record: 4
Earnings with losing teams: $93,128,000 ($104,634,234)

Legendary 2-guard Kobe Bryant only missed the playoffs four times in his illustrious career, once in 2004-05 in the Los Angeles Lakers’ first season without Shaquille O’Neal, and three times at the very end of it when the team was forced to rebuild around Bryant. Regardless, he finds his way fairly high up on this list because in his final three seasons he made a combined $79 million. That’s not to say he wasn’t worth every penny, of course, as Bryant more than earned his fortunes as a player.

Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports

10. HARRISON BARNES

Total years played: 8
Years with losing record: 4
Earnings with losing teams: $93,483,739 ($96,324,681)

His first four seasons were quite successful as a member of the Golden State Warriors, but after that, Harrison Barnes’ team success has plummeted during his time with the Dallas Mavericks (pre-Luka Doncic) and Sacramento Kings. Barnes recently signed another four-year contract with Sacramento, one worth $85 million, so if they don’t turn things around soon as a franchise, he’ll find his way up even higher on these rankings in the future.

9. JUWAN HOWARD

Total years played: 22
Years with losing record: 11
Earnings with losing teams: $94,640,843 ($136,114,261)

Despite playing for 22 seasons, Juwan Howard only made the playoffs seven times, two of which came at the very end of his career as a deep reserve for the Big 3 Heat. Howard signed one enormous contract in his career, worth seven years and $105 million courtesy of the Wizards. Unfortunately, he only made the playoffs once while with Washington prior to getting traded in the 2000-01 season.

8. JOE JOHNSON

Total years played: 19
Years with losing record: 7
Earnings with losing teams: $94,663,379 ($109,405,674)

Only seven of his 19 career seasons were losing ones, but Joe Johnson made so much money those years that he finds himself in the Top 10 of these rankings anyway. Johnson reached the playoffs 13 times in his career, getting as far as the conference finals multiple times. He once signed a six-year, $123.7 million contract, an enormous deal for its time.

7. CARMELO ANTHONY

Total years played: 16
Years with losing record: 5
Earnings with losing teams: $95,935,697 ($100,796,083)

Much is usually made about Carmelo Anthony not being a winning player (whatever that means), but the future Hall-of-Famer has only endured five losing seasons so far in his career and reached the postseason in all of the first 10 years that he was in the NBA. Then, the Melo New York Knicks of the mid-2010s completely fell apart, and Anthony didn’t make the playoffs again until 2017-18 as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

6. SHAREEF ABDUR-RAHIM

Total years played: 13
Years with losing record: 12
Earnings with losing teams: $96,221,760 ($135,141,973)

Of the 13 seasons one-time All-Star Shareef Abdur-Rahim spent in the NBA, 12 of them were spent on losing teams, including the then-Vancouver Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks and Kings. Abdur-Rahim was part of the last Kings team to make the playoffs in 2005-06, an impressive accomplishment for the player who spent so much of his career on poor squads. Abdur-Rahim never reached $15 million in annual salary, but when you spend so much time on losing teams, it adds up.

Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

5. KEVIN LOVE

Total years played: 12
Years with losing record: 8
Earnings with losing teams: $96,237,212 ($102,083,758)

Tasked with playing for two pretty dysfunctional organizations in his career, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Cleveland Cavaliers, has caused Kevin Love to know losing a lot more than he has known winning as an NBA player. Even so, Love did get to enjoy four years as LeBron James’ teammate, and the duo experienced a whole lot of success over that run, including winning the 2015-16 championship, so it hasn’t been all bad of the floor-spacing big man.

4. RUDY GAY

Total years played: 14
Years with losing record: 10
Earnings with losing teams: $104,417,071 ($113,450,141)

Cursed with spending the start of his career with bad Grizzlies teams and his prime with the tumultuous post-Chris Webber Sacramento Kings, Rudy Gay has only made the playoffs three times in his career, twice with the San Antonio Spurs as a role player. Regardless, Gay had the talent to earn a handsome salary anyway, peaking at nearly $20 million in 2014-15 with the Kings, which is why he ranks so highly on these rankings.

3. ELTON BRAND

Total years played: 19
Years with losing record: 13
Earnings with losing teams: $105,180,654 ($133,520,150)

Elton Brand was an absurd talent before injuries took away his athleticism, earning All-NBA honors in 2005-06 and making two All-Star rosters as well. His talent alone, though, wasn’t enough to help him enjoy much success when he was his teams’ focal point, as he spent the early portion of his career with the post-Michael Jordan Bulls, then enjoying his prime with the Clippers before they got good. Injuries really prevented him from ever finding that peak form with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he spent four seasons after his time in L.A., though he did make the playoffs twice while there.

2. NICOLAS BATUM

Total years played: 12
Years with losing record: 6
Earnings with losing teams: $106,974,931 ($111,383,962)

Well-rounded swingman Nicolas Batum enjoyed a good amount of team success as a member of the Blazers early in his career, but since signing a monstrous five-year, $120 million contract with the Charlotte Hornets, it’s been downhill for him, both individually and as far as winning goes. Batum hasn’t made the playoffs in the last four years and even went so far as to apologize to Hornets fans for failing to deliver on his contract.

1. STEPHON MARBURY

Total years played: 13
Years with losing record: 11
Earnings with losing teams: $136,474,625 ($181,971,511)

Stephon Marbury was a highly popular player in his prime, thanks to his theatrical style and clutch bucket-getting prowess. He made two All-Star teams and two All-NBA teams during that stretch, but that didn’t lead to much team success, as Marbury enjoyed just two winning campaigns in his 13 years as an NBA player. To be fair, he did make the playoffs five times, four of those coming in his prime.

Caris LeVert records first triple-double in Nets’ 139-120 win

Caris LeVert and his Brooklyn Nets teammates responded to Wednesday’s loss with a big win over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday.

Caris LeVert may have had the most impressive night of any Nets player on Friday, but he certainly wasn’t the only one who played well in Brooklyn’s 139-120 win over the San Antonio Spurs at Barclays Center.

The Nets offensive explosion started in the first quarter. Brooklyn set a season-high for first quarter with 41 on Friday. They then set a season-high for third quarter points, scoring 45 against the Spurs. Factor in their 34 second quarter points and the Nets set a franchise record with 120 points through the first third quarter.

In the process, Caris LeVert registered the first triple-double of his NBA career, finishing with 27 points on 9-for-16 shooting (3-for-5 from deep), 11 rebounds and 10 assists.

LeVert is the 27th player in Nets history to log a triple-double. He’s only the third player to do so for Brooklyn — the other two are Kyrie Irving and D’Angelo Russell.

Three of Brooklyn’s other four starters finished in double figures: Joe Harris (20), Spencer Dinwiddie (19) and Jarrett Allen (12).

Taurean Prince came off the bench and finished with 13 points, as did Chris Chiozza. DeAndre Jordan registered a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, while Timothe Luwawu Cabarrot led all Nets reserves with 19 points.

San Antonio Spurs at Brooklyn Nets odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s San Antonio Spurs at Brooklyn Nets sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The San Antonio Spurs (26-34) visit the Brooklyn Nets (27-34) Friday at Barclays Center for a 7:30 p.m. ET tip-off. We analyze the Spurs-Nets odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

The Spurs won at the Charlotte Hornets 104-103 Tuesday, a day after dropping a 116-111 decision at home to the Indiana Pacers. The Nets were blown out 118-79 on their home floor by the Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday, a day after stunning the Boston Celtics 129-120 in overtime on the road.

The Spurs took the first regular-season meeting, winning 118-105 at home Dec. 19.


Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.


Spurs at Nets: Key injuries

Spurs

  • PF LaMarcus Aldridge (shoulder) out
  • SG Marco Belinelli (illness) out
  • C Jakob Poeltl (knee) out

Nets

  • SF Kevin Durant (Achilles) out
  • PG Kyrie Irving (shoulder) out
  • SG Garrett Temple (ankle) doubtful

Spurs at Nets: 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 at 9:20 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Nets 114, Spurs 106

Moneyline (ML)

PASS. The Nets are favored at -143, while the Spurs are +120 as road underdogs. Both teams are limping into this one, each going 4-6 across their last 10 games. Even worse, the Spurs are 6-11 in their last 17, while the Nets are 11-21 since Christmas. I’ll AVOID.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The NETS (-2.5, –110) are the STRONGEST PLAY. They’re 7-2 ATS in their last nine games following a loss and 7-1 ATS in their last eight Friday games. Not only will the Spurs be missing Aldridge (18.8 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game), but they’re 0-5 ATS in their last five games. I like my chances taking the home team, here.

New to sports betting? Every $1.10 wagered on the Nets spread will profit $1 if they win by 3 or more points.

Over/Under (O/U)

Back the UNDER 222.5 (-115) with a small-unit play. The Under is 4-1 in the Nets’ last five home games, 6-2 in the Nets’ last eight games as a favorite and 6-2 in the Nets’ last eight games played on one day of rest. Plus, the Under is 4-2 in the last six head-to-head meetings.

Every $1.15 wagered on the Under will profit $1 if the two teams combine for 222 or fewer points.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Johnny’s record since Feb. 1: 15-6. Strongest plays: 8-3.

Since Dec. 1: 52-31-2. Strongest plays: 29-12

Follow @JohnnyParlay11 and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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San Antonio Spurs at Charlotte Hornets odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s San Antonio Spurs at Charlotte Hornets sports betting odds, picks and best bets

The San Antonio Spurs (25-34) travel to meet the Charlotte Hornets (21-39) at Spectrum Center in Charlotte at 7 p.m. ET Tuesday. We analyze the Spurs-Hornets sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Spurs at Hornets: Key Injuries

Spurs

  • C LaMarcus Aldridge (shoulder) questionable
  • C Jakob Poeltl (knee) out

Hornets

  • PG Devonte Graham (ankle) doubtful
  • PF Jalen McDaniels (heel) probable
  • SG Malik Monk (suspension) out

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.


Spurs at Hornets: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 11:08 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Spurs 106, Hornets 99

Moneyline (ML)

The SPURS (-150) are the play on the road, assuming Aldridge is able to play. His healthy makes the difference whether you should bet a regular amount or simply go lightly. Either way, the Hornets (+125) and their struggling offense cannot be trusted, even on their home floor.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Spurs ML returns a profit of just $6.67 if they win.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Take the SPURS (-2.5, -115), as they’re a better value than simply taking them on the moneyline. You have to eat less chalk. Yes, the Hornets (+2.5, -106) have covered three in a row, but they’re 2-3 ATS in the past five at home.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 210.5 (-115) is the complete opposite of the recent trends for the Spurs. However, they’re banged up in the middle, and again, watch Aldridge’s status before finalizing your play. While the over is 7-2-1 in their past 10 overall, and 5-1-1 in the past seven on the road, the under is 6-1 in the past seven for San Antonio against losing teams.

The under is 7-1 in Charlotte’s past eight overall, and 7-1 in the past eight as ‘dog while going 19-9-1 in the past 29 versus San Antonio. The Hornets rank dead-last (30th) in the NBA in scoring average at 102.0 PPG and field-goal percentage (43.0), too.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

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Indiana Pacers at San Antonio Spurs odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s Indiana Pacers at San Antonio Spurs sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.

The Indiana Pacers (36-24) head to the Alamo City Monday to play the San Antonio Spurs (25-33) at the AT&T Center at 8:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Pacers-Spurs odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.


Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.


Pacers at Spurs: Key injuries

Pacers

  • SG Jeremy Lamb (knee) out
  • PG Edmond Sumner (hip) out

Spurs

  • C LaMarcus Aldridge (shoulder) doubtful
  • C Jakob Poeltl (knee) out

Pacers at Spurs: 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 at 2:15 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Pacers 108, Spurs 101

Moneyline (ML)

After losing six of their final seven games entering into the All-Star Break, the PACERS (-134) are on a roll, winning three in a row and four of their last five games. San Antonio is just 2-2 in its post-All-Star Break contests, but won its last game, beating the Orlando Magic 114-113 at home Saturday. Indiana has played better against opponents from the opposite conference (13-8 record) than San Antonio (11-12), and the Pacers have beaten the Spurs in three of their previous four meetings. I LOVE PACERS (-134).

New to sports betting? A $134 wager on the Pacers -ML will fetch a profit of $100 if they win.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Pacers are -1.5 (-115), but let’s not fuss with the small point spread and stick with our moneyline bet. Even though we are PASSING on the spread, let’s look at some ATS trends to bolster our ML handicap. The Pacers are 11-7-1 ATS in away games against losing teams whereas the Spurs are 6-7 ATS at home against winning teams. When Indiana is a slight favorite (1- to 2.5-point favorite), it is 8-5 ATS compared to a Spurs team which is only 3-3 ATS when getting 1-2.5 points. Also, Indiana is 9-6-1 ATS, with a 5.1-point margin of victory, when it is a road favorite and the Spurs are 5-5 ATS when they are a home dog.

Over/Under (O/U)

It feels like every time these two meet they match the identity their head coaches are known for: Defense and a methodical tempo. But the Over cashed in their past two meetings because they were still at below-average projected totals of 208.5 and 210.5 The totals in those two games barely cleared the Over and I think BetMGM is over adjusting because of those results. For that reason, I slightly lean toward the UNDER 220.5 (-110). It’s only a lean though because their combined O/U record is 66-50-2 overall and 27-17 in non-conference games this season.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

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Orlando Magic at San Antonio Spurs odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Magic at Spurs NBA matchup, with NBA betting odds, picks and best bets

The Orlando Magic (27-32) travel to meet the San Antonio Spurs (24-33) at AT&T Center in San Antonio at 8:30 p.m. ET Saturday. We analyze the Magic-Spurs sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Magic at Spurs: Key Injuries

Magic

  • SF Al-Farouq Aminu (knee) out
  • PF Jonathan Isaac (knee) out

Spurs

  • C LaMarcus Aldridge (shoulder) out

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.


Magic at Spurs: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Saturday at noon ET.

Prediction

Spurs 116, Magic 111

Moneyline (ML)

The SPURS (-167) are the play here, as the Magic (+140) have a tough turnaround playing in Texas last than 24 hours after a 136-125 victory in O-Town against the Timberwolves. Orlando is 4-5 straight up in the past nine on the road, with two of those wins against lowly Charlotte. The Magic are also 0-6 SU in the past six in the second end of a back-to-back.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Spurs ML returns a profit of just $5.99 if they win.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Take the SPURS (-3.5, -110) on their home floor, mainly due to the failures of the Magic (+3.5, -110) in back-to-back situations. Not only have they dropped six in a row SU in the second end of back-to-backs, they’re 0-5-1 ATS in those six outings.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 220.5 (-110) is the play in this one, as both sides have hit the over frequently. The over is a perfect 6-0 in Orlando’s past six, and 4-0-1 in their past five on the road. The Magic’s legs should be plenty tired, especially on the defensive end, after a high-scoring game at home and overnight travel. The under is 5-1 in San Antonio’s past six at home, but the over is 5-2-1 in their past eight overall, and 14-6 in the past 20 as a home favorite.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2017]

NBA free agency: Who should (and should not) opt out this offseason?

The lack of cap space will likely result in a smaller percentage of players with player options opting out of their deals.

In the 2019 offseason, half the league had significant cap space, with most teams having maximum space available. The abundance of cap room convinced 11 of 18 players with player options to opt out and test the market. With more than $600 million available to be spent, no player who opted out of their deals got left behind. 2020 pales in comparison, projecting with just over $200 million in cap space to offer with a whopping 29 players with pending player options who will need to make decisions by June 30.

It is really hard to envision most of these players earning a pay raise or even equal to what they currently earn if they become free agents this summer. Most teams operating over the cap will be spending their money working around the margins, and cap space teams could do the same or take in bad contracts with draft picks attached. The lack of cap room will likely result in a smaller percentage of players with player options hitting the market.

GOOD CASES FOR OPTING OUT

Anthony Davis ($28.8 million) is going to decline his 2020-21 player option for sure. He formally declined the Lakers’ maximum extension offer, but that is because he would have left a lot of money on the table doing so. Barring an unexpected change in circumstances, expect Davis to re-sign with the Lakers for maximum dollars on either a one or two-year deal with a player option at the end. This process allows him to maximize his earnings over the next seven years.

Gordon Hayward ($34.19 million) has a very interesting case for opting out because he seems to have finally come back to form since breaking his leg in 2017. His efficiency and most of his numbers (except scoring) are higher than his 2016-17 numbers despite having a lower usage. He had a strong case for making the All-Star game this year if not for missing 13 games with a broken hand.

The Celtics rely on Hayward as part of their wing-centric lineup but they may have suitors to fend off. Charlotte, who previously signed him to an offer sheet in 2014, is projected with $26.7 million in cap space. Miami, who is projected with $26.5 million in cap space, also pursued Hayward in 2017, although indications are that they want to keep the keg dry for 2021. Other teams with at least that much cap space include Atlanta, Detroit, and New York. It seems unlikely that Hayward would want to leave Boston, and none of these teams other than New York can offer Hayward a true maximum contract (projected $40.3 million starting salary). If Hayward opts out, expect him to re-sign with the Celtics on a long-term deal. He is still getting minor injuries every now and then, so it would be wise to get the security given his history.

Jerami Grant ($9.4 million) is very likely, if not a lock, to secure a significant raise if he opts out. His skillset has a place on any modern NBA team and a player such as him could be one of the most sought after this offseason. Denver will not be able to replace him easily with the lack of players like him on the market, nor with just the non-taxpayer mid-level exception (NT-MLE). They’re already invested in him having traded a first-round pick for him and don’t exactly have an up and coming young power forward to take his place. Grant having full Bird rights with a team who can’t easily replace him and multiple suitors in free agency should lead to a lucrative long-term contract.

Evan Fournier ($17.2 million) could also see a nice raise or at least an incremental one. There should be suitors for him despite the dry market. His playmaking and scoring ability gives him a rotation spot on just about every team with or without cap space. He should be considered an extension candidate ahead of free agency as he currently can extend with the Magic for up to a maximum of $92.2 million between 2020-21 and 2023-24. If he opts out and is not offered long-term security, he could probably still earn more than $17.2 million on a one-year deal. Whether he opts out or not, he’s in an excellent position heading into the offseason because of his options.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($8.5 million) and Avery Bradley ($5 million) are having resurgences under Lakers head coach Frank Vogel. Assuming the Lakers re-sign Davis, they will be over the cap and replacing them will be difficult if they leave. Caldwell-Pope finally has full Bird rights with the Lakers, so unless they can replace him with just the NT-MLE, he has a lot of leverage to secure a higher salary, although for now they’re likely only offering a one-year deal in preparation for 2021. Bradley could get a very small raise for up to his non-Bird amount ($5.7 million) or can get more via the NT-MLE. Whether their success is just a product of Vogel’s system or not, many over-the-cap teams with the NT-MLE could be preparing offers in hopes of stealing them from the Lakers.

COMPLICATED CASES FOR OPTING OUT, SHOULD CONSIDER AN EXTENSION IF ELIGIBLE

Mike Conley ($34.5 million) is in his age-32 season and may have started to show signs of a decline, although his February numbers are much closer to his career norms. Even if he plays at a level closer to that in Memphis, it makes very little sense for him to opt out because most of the 2020 cap space teams already have a starting point guard. Miami could make sense, but they’d likely only offer a one-year deal. The maximum amount he is eligible to extend for is $174.8 million over four years, but realistically he is looking at at least half that total. Utah is heavily invested in Conley after trading two first-round picks for him, but whether or not he fits in with them is still a work in progress. Conley will most likely opt in, but his long-term future in Utah is in question.

Andre Drummond ($28.6 million) is soon facing a very harsh and frustrating reality. In the past few offseasons, centers have been getting smaller and smaller guaranteed deals. In 2018, a considerably low cap-space offseason, we saw non-stretch centers Clint Capela and Jusuf Nurkic earn $16 million and $12 million annually, respectively. Charlotte and New York are the only two teams with significant cap space who make some sense for Drummond, but it’s hard to see either team shelling most of their cap space just to him. If Drummond were to opt-out and test the market, he might end up getting offered similar figures as Capela and Nurkic did. That is a steep paycut overnight, and because he was traded in February he is not extension eligible for the rest of the season. If he were to opt-out, it probably won’t be without assurances of a lucrative deal via a cap space team or a sign-and-trade. Otherwise, expect him to opt-in.

DeMar DeRozan’s ($27.7 million) next contract should be a lucrative one, but it is difficult envisioning a 2020 cap space team that makes sense for him. He could be a sign-and-trade candidate if he opts out and if there is a return that interests San Antonio. He has discussed an extension with the Spurs, but according to Sam Amick of The Athletic, they are far apart on an agreement. If he’s hoping for the maximum $149.1 million he is eligible for, he may not even get that from a team he’s potentially traded to. He has options, but unless he signs a lucrative extension, his best option is to opt-in and test the market in 2021.

INDIFFERENT BUT SHOULD AT LEAST RECOUP DECLINED MONEY

Enes Kanter, Robin Lopez, and JaMychal Green ($5 million) signed for the $4.8 million room mid-level exception (R-MLE). That became the price tag for other backup big men such as Richaun Holmes, Frank Kaminsky, and Mike Scott. JaVale McGee ($4.2 million) is also earning a similar amount. Most likely that $5 million range will remain the price for backup big men, so if any of these players opt-out, they should have the R-MLE amount to fall back on.

Austin Rivers ($2.4 million), Willie Cauley-Stein ($2.3 million), Wesley Matthews ($2.7 million), Mike Muscala ($2.3 million), and James Ennis ($2.1 million) all signed for the veteran minimum or slightly above it. It is tough to gauge whether they’ve done enough this season to garner a raise, but at the very least they should have a minimum offer available next season. If any of these players opt out, it could be for a change of scenery.

BAD CASE FOR OPTING OUT

Otto Porter ($28.5 million) had an unbelievable stretch during the 2018-19 season that made opting out in 2020 a reasonable possibility. However, injuries have severely limited him over the past two years, making him very unlikely to hit free agency. Rodney Hood ($6 million) was making a strong case too, but his Achilles injury will certainly have him opting in.

Tim Hardaway Jr. ($19 million) and Kelly Olynyk ($13.2 million) have been productive role players and are likely looking at paycuts down the line. Meanwhile, Jabari Parker ($6.5 million) and Stanley Johnson ($3.8 million), have not been as productive and are probably leaving money on the table if they opt out. All these players might as well opt in and try to boost their stock for 2021.

Nicolas Batum ($27.1 million), James Johnson ($16.1 million), and Tony Snell ($12.2 million), the last of the remaining ‘sour sixteens’ (or ‘seventeens’ in Snell’s case), can thank the cap spike of 2016 for their fortune. No cap smoothing led to a surplus in cap space, and one of the unintended consequences was allocating large portions of it to non-qualified players. Expect these players to opt in.

Despite only earning minimum salaries, there is no guarantee that Rajon Rondo ($2.6 million) and Mario Hezonja ($2 million) would be signed next season. They should only opt out if they have assurances of a minimum deal from at least one team.

Spurs to Give Away Former Longhorn LaMarcus Aldridge Bobblehead

The Spurs will be giving away a bobblehead of former UT star LaMarcus Aldridge. He will be flashing the famous “Hook em” hand sign.

The San Antonio Spurs will be giving away a bobblehead of former Longhorn star LaMarcus Aldridge. Not only will he be in his usual No. 12 and holding a basketball, but he will be flashing the famous “Hook em” hand sign, synonymous with the University of Texas.

The first 10,000 fans that show up to Wednesday’s home game against the Dallas Mavericks will be able to get the collecter’s item. However, Aldridge is not expected to play tonight as he is dealing with a sore right shoulder.

When he has seen the court this season, Aldridge has been one of the best players for the Spurs. Averaging 18.8 points per game, he is only behind DeMar DeRozan in team scoring. He is leading the team in rebounds with 7.5 per game while also adding 2.4 blocks and 1.6 blocks per game.

Only three games out of the eight seed in the Western Conference, Aldridge will be a huge part towards the Spurs’ push to making the playoff for the 23rd season in a row.

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