by Chuck Sommers
Wednesday, Feb 22, 2023
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Where to watch: BSSW-DAL, KENS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Mavs -13.5; DAL -975, SA +675; O/U 234.5
FanDuel: Mavs -13.5; DAL -1000, SA +675; O/U 235
BetMGM: Mavs -13.5; DAL -1100, SA +675; O/U 234.5
Caesars: Mavs -13.5; DAL -1111, SA +700; O/U 234.5
Season record
Spurs: 14-45
Mavs: 31-29
The All-Star break is over in the NBA and it's time to get on the horse and finish up the final home stretch of the season. Big trades, uncertainty, and absolute hilarity across the board all gearing up for the final home stretch of this season. You know who is also gearing up for the home stretch? Our champion handicappers at bigal.com who are ready to win their way all the way to the playoffs. There's a lot going on that we can't wait for in these final 23-25 games and you're going to need every bit of hardcore analysis you can get from this group. Just in the last 30 days we've had some big winners. Doc's Sports has posted a 16-6-0 record in the last month (+$9,200). AAA Sports has killed it at 17-8-0, and then Al McMordie with a dominant 20-11-1 mark over the last 30 days. Everything you need to know and more about what's going on this league and sports in general will be a fun finish to the end. All you have to do is go to bigal.com and find our Best Bets page and put forth something that only you think is good. Here's a hint: Go to the bigal.com website and happy betting!
Spurs - Mavs preview, prediction and analysis
Recent form
Spurs: lost 120-110 at Hornets
Mavs: lost 118-109 at Nuggets
Sure, there are the Phoenix Suns and the impact Kevin Durant will have on that group. But the second most viewed team coming out of the All-Star break is unquestionably the Dallas Mavericks and how the Luka Doncic - Kyrie Irving pair will look together. The Dallas star duo will try and get a win together for the first time when they take on the San Antonio Spurs at American Airlines Center on Thursday.
The Mavericks are heavily favored in this game but they are coming in on a three-game losing streak entering the break with the latest being a 118-109 loss to the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Irving didn't play due to back tightness, and Luka was left on an island to score 37 points and get no help around him.
It's going to be a work-in-progress for Kyrie and Luka to work together, both offensively and defensively with how things are going to work. There's no doubt the talent the two have shown together. They just need help defensively because good lord they can't stop a basket inside to save their lives.
“You’re sitting in a good place against the best team in the West and so we have to look at doing a better job,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said.
But again, not having Kyrie didn't help matters in the first half in the game. But the three straight losses dropped Dallas to play-in territory and they have a lot of game left to go. It helps that they have three more games against the lowly Spurs; on top of New Orleans struggling and Memphis not playing well, this division is wide open for Dallas to storm back. Time will tell.
But the Spurs have found ways to cover lately because the spreads have been large, but they've been playing up to their competition because they can score and have no defense. The Spurs lost their 14th straight game before the break, 120-110 against the Charlotte Hornets. Malakai Branham had 23 points to lead the way, and Keldon Johnson had 21 points, but the Spurs were just horrible once again.
“At some point, you have to take pride in what you’re doing execution wise and competitively," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "That starts with defense and we really sucked. That’s on me when I think we’re starting to improve on it, and we go back two steps, so that’s something I’m going to have to think about, figure out how I’m going to be able to motivate them better.”
Prediction
I am still nervous in what the Mavs can bring to the table. Defensively, there are leaks, and the Spurs can take advantage. They have found ways to keep games close. I don't think it'll be that close, but the Mavs should be weary. Mavs 128, Spurs 120
Sure, there are the Phoenix Suns and the impact Kevin Durant will have on that group. But the second most viewed team coming out of the All-Star break is unquestionably the Dallas Mavericks and how the Luka Doncic - Kyrie Irving pair will look together. The Dallas star duo will try and get a win together for the first time when they take on the San Antonio Spurs at American Airlines Center on Thursday.
The Mavericks are heavily favored in this game but they are coming in on a three-game losing streak entering the break with the latest being a 118-109 loss to the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Irving didn't play due to back tightness, and Luka was left on an island to score 37 points and get no help around him.
It's going to be a work-in-progress for Kyrie and Luka to work together, both offensively and defensively with how things are going to work. There's no doubt the talent the two have shown together. They just need help defensively because good lord they can't stop a basket inside to save their lives.
“You’re sitting in a good place against the best team in the West and so we have to look at doing a better job,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said.
But again, not having Kyrie didn't help matters in the first half in the game. But the three straight losses dropped Dallas to play-in territory and they have a lot of game left to go. It helps that they have three more games against the lowly Spurs; on top of New Orleans struggling and Memphis not playing well, this division is wide open for Dallas to storm back. Time will tell.
But the Spurs have found ways to cover lately because the spreads have been large, but they've been playing up to their competition because they can score and have no defense. The Spurs lost their 14th straight game before the break, 120-110 against the Charlotte Hornets. Malakai Branham had 23 points to lead the way, and Keldon Johnson had 21 points, but the Spurs were just horrible once again.
“At some point, you have to take pride in what you’re doing execution wise and competitively," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "That starts with defense and we really sucked. That’s on me when I think we’re starting to improve on it, and we go back two steps, so that’s something I’m going to have to think about, figure out how I’m going to be able to motivate them better.”
Prediction
I am still nervous in what the Mavs can bring to the table. Defensively, there are leaks, and the Spurs can take advantage. They have found ways to keep games close. I don't think it'll be that close, but the Mavs should be weary. Mavs 128, Spurs 120
Betting trends
Spurs are 22-35 ATS as an underdog this season.
Spurs are 4-15 ATS revenging a home loss this season.
Spurs are 20-32 ATS after at least 3 straight losses the last 3 seasons.
Mavs are 12-26 ATS as a favorite this season.
Mavs are 10-16 ATS at home this season.
Projected starting lineup
Spurs:
PG: Devonte' Graham
SG: Malakai Branham
SF: Keldon Johnson
PF: Keita Bates-Diop
C: Zach Collins
Mavs:
PG: Luka Doncic
SG: Kyrie irving
SF: Tim Hardaway Jr.
PF: Josh Green
C: Dwight Powell
Injury report
Spurs: Khem Birch (knee, out), Devin Vassell (knee, out), Tre Jones (foot, doubtful), Romeo Langford (thigh, out), Jeremy Sochan (quad, questionable), Isaiah Roby (out)
Mavs: Davis Bertans (calf, out), Maxi Kleber (hamstring, out)
Statistical leaders
Spurs:
Points: Keldon Johnson -- 21.8
Rebounds: Zach Collins -- 5.9
Assists: Tre Jones -- 6.3
Mavs:
Points: Luka Doncic -- 33.3
Rebounds: Luka Doncic -- 8.8
Assists: Luka Doncic -- 8.1
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this San Antonio Spurs - Dallas Mavericks prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NBA projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
