The San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks collide in a Texas Showdown at the American Airlines Center on Wednesday night. Here’s a Mavericks vs Spurs Prediction. This article will include a Mavericks vs Spurs Pick.
San Antonio Spurs Betting Preview
The San Antonio Spurs will be eager to build on their success from last season, where they tallied 34 wins in a rebuilding year. The spotlight was on Victor Wembenyama who averaged 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.8 blocks per game. De’Aaron Fox averaged 19.7 points and 6.8 assists per game as a late addition to the squad. Devin Vassell averaged 16.3 points, while Stephon Castle averaged 14.7 points and 4.1 assists per game. As a team, the Spurs scored 113.9 points per game while shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from the 3-point line.
The Spurs moved on from Chris Paul, Malaki Branham and Sandro Mamukelashvili, they re-signed De’Aaron Fox, and they drafted Dylan Harper with the 2nd overall pick. However, the spotlight will remain on Wembenyama who played just 47 games last season and looks to have grown to a few inches in the offseason.
Dallas Mavericks Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks are looking to turn over a new page after winning 39 games last season only to get knocked out in the Play-In Tournament. The biggest story of the season was the stunning trade of Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis, but the Mavericks are looking to move on with the newly acquired Cooper Flagg. He was selected with the 1st overall pick in the NBA Draft.
The Mavericks re-signed Dante Exum, Daniel Gafford, Kyrie Irving, PJ Washington and Dwight Powell, and they signed Spencer Dinwiddie with D’Angelo Russell. We haven’t yet had a chance to see what the Mavericks could be, as Davis and Irving both suffered injuries last season.
That only provides more minutes and opportunity for Flagg to show us why he was the top pick in the draft. It’s hard to know what to expect from this new-look Mavericks squad, but while plenty of fans might still be recovering from losing Doncic, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about this revamped squad.
Why the Dallas Mavericks will win
- The Mavericks have won 14 of their last 15 night games against the Spurs.
- The Spurs have lost each of their last seven night games at American Airlines Center.
- The Spurs have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight road games against Southwest Division opponents.
- The Mavericks have covered the spread in each of their last five night games against the Spurs at American Airlines Center.
Why the San Antonio Spurs will win
- The Mavericks have lost seven of their last eight games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Spurs have won 23 of their last 28 season openers.
- The Mavericks have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Spurs have covered the spread in four of their last five night games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Spurs’ last 10 season openers have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Mavericks’ last eight Wednesday games as home favorites have gone UNDER the total points line.
Dallas Mavericks Player Facts
- Anthony Davis was one of only five players to have recorded a 30-point, 20-rebound game last season.
- Klay Thompson ranked 9th amongst qualified players for three-pointers made per 36 minutes (4.0) last season.
San Antonio Spurs Player Facts
- Victor Wembanyama ranked 1st amongst qualified players for blocks per game (3.8) last season.
- The Celtics were allowing just 102.0 points per 48 minutes while Luke Kornet were on the floor last season – lowest mark of any qualified player in the league.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Mavericks recorded the equal-most road wins by a margin of 10 points or less last season (14).
- Eighteen different Mavericks players scored 20+ points in a game last season – most in the league.
- The Spurs recorded the equal-most wins when trailing by a margin of 10+ points through Q1 last season (5).
- The Spurs suffered the largest comeback loss when leading through Q1 last season – led by 26 points @ Clippers on November 4.
Mavericks vs Spurs Prediction
The Spurs won’t be at full strength for opening night as De’Aaron Fox, Jeremy Sochan, Lindy Waters and Kelly Olynyk have already been ruled out. Meanwhile, the Mavericks will be missing key players Kyrie Irving, Daniel Gafford, and Dante Exum. The Mavericks have opened as slight favorites at home despite their injuries, and I think the bookies have it right for this matchup.
I can see the Spurs getting off to a quick start and maybe even leading at halftime, as it always takes time for opposing players to adjust to the sheer size of the Spurs’ Wembenyama. But the Mavericks still have the edge in firepower, and I think they can squeeze out a close win at home behind big games from Davis and Flagg.