Spurs look to get back on track against Mavericks
Currently, on a three-game skid, the Spurs look to bounce back against the Mavericks. To be fair, the Spurs have had to play some serious competition. Facing the Nuggets, Bucks, and Lakers in three games is a tough task for any team. However, excuses aren’t something you can live by in the NBA. It’s time for San Antonio to start winning games.
The opponent of the Spurs is the Dallas Mavericks, the 2-1 team led by Luka Doncic. After losing their season opener, the Mavericks have won two straight games. The wins are over the Raptors and Rockets, two lackluster teams so far this season. The Spurs could be a tough test for the Mavericks, who come in as the favorites at the sportsbook.
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The San Antonio Spurs need to get back to basics
One of the easiest things the Spurs can do to get a leg up here is going back to basics. They lead the league in assists, so obviously, distributing the ball well should be a priority. Playing great defense should be another main focus for them. They’ve faced tough offenses already this year, so it should be no problem to plan for the Mavericks.
The Spurs don’t have any big names on their squad, but you really don’t need them. What you need is a team that can work cohesively together. Perhaps even taking fewer shots from the 3PT line would help, considering they rank 22 in the NBA for percentage. Better shot selection and hard-nosed defense are what will help them win this game.
The Dallas Mavericks plan to keep the ball rolling
Dallas is a tough team to stop when they get their offense rolling. After a sluggish start to begin the season, the Mavericks have been on a roll. Their defense is actually more shocking than their offense, allowing just 104.67 points per game. What Dallas does best is control the pace of the game, which they’ll look to do against the Spurs.
Against the spread, the Mavericks aren’t doing too good this year. So far, they’re 1-2 against the spread and 0-1 ATS at home. These kinds of trends make it tough to take them -6.5 points per BetUS. Still, they’re the better team, and they’re finally coming into their own on offense. Sometimes, betting at the sportsbook is all about who you can trust.
Let’s take a look at the spread
The Dallas Mavericks come in as 6.5-point favorites per BetUS and Bovada. Although they’re the favorites, some analysts are leaning towards the Spurs’ covering. We can understand why because the Spurs have a better record against the spread. The Spurs have also faced stiff competition to start the season, preparing them for this game.
In each of their recent losses, the Spurs kept the score relatively close, aside from their loss to Milwaukee. Since Dallas isn’t quite near the offensive output as the Lakers and Bucks, taking the Spurs is a good bet. The Mavericks also could still be missing Kristaps Porzingis in this one, further jeopardizing the offense.
Our pick for Spurs vs. Mavericks: San Antonio Spurs +6.5
As we said above, betting at the sportsbook requires trust, and the Spurs have kept games close. Being able to stay within four points of the Lakers isn’t an easy feat. The Spurs are also getting better as the season goes on; perhaps an upset is in play as well.
The Mavericks, on the other hand, have struggled to put teams away. The scores have remained close each game, and they average just 102 points per game. Until Porzingis gets back, the offense will continue to sputter, making the Spurs the better pick.