The NBA fans are up for a real treat on Saturday night, February 27th, when the sizzling hot Brooklyn Nets square off with the inconsistent Dallas Mavericks at the Barclays Center. Although both sides are likely to miss some of their super stars, this matchup is surely going to bring a lot of excitement on both ends, so check out the best odds and betting picks Iโve prepared for you.
This will be the first head-to-head counter for Luka Doncic and James Harden this season, in which the Nets are favored by 4.5 points by BetMGM Sportsbook. Kevin Durant and Kristaps Porzingis are most likely going to sit out this matchup. Durant is scheduled to return in Mid March due to left hamstring strain, while Porzingis is still healing from lower back injury.
Dallas Mavericks look to improve their road record
The Dallas Mavericks (15-16; 13-18 ATS) have seen better days and can definitely not be satisfied with their current form, sitting at the 10th position of the Western conference. They are entering this clash after suffering a 111-97 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in their last game. The Mavs were helpless in the paint, allowing Embiid and the 76ers to outscore them under the baskets 51-26.
Luka Doncic, who has been putting up huge numbers this season (28.5 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 9.0 apg) has been held to only 19 points, 3 board and 4 dime, mostly because of a great Ben Simmonsโs defensive performance. Despite the fact that the Mavs outrebounded the 76ers with 50-39, the difference came at handling the ball, as the Mavs committed 18 turnovers, compared to only 7 by the 76ers.
Without Kristaps Porzingis, who is capable of putting up huge numbers every night, the Mavs struggles on the offensive end continue. With only 111.9 ppg, the Mavs will need to find some fire weapons quickly, as they rank 17th. What’s more worrying is the fact that the rank 23rd in points allowed, surrendering 113.5 points.
Brooklyn Nets extend their winning streak to eight
The Brooklyn Nets (22-12; 18-16 ATS) are riding a hot streak, winning 8 games in a row, despite the fact that the last 6 games were won without their superstar Kevin Durant. Important to note for the bettors is that they have managed to beat the spread in all of those games.
James Harden and Kyrie Irving both put up a great show in the Nets 129-92 dominant win over the Orlando Magic on Thursday. Irving and Harden combined for 47 points, while the team shot 53.3% from the fiel, and 44.4% from behind the arc.
The Nets are topping the league in scoring, putting up 121.4 ppg, shooting 50.18% from the field. On the defensive end they rank 28th, allowing only 116.3 ppg to their opponents. The star-studded Brooklyn Nets team are ranking 2nd in 3-point shooting with 40.74%.
Trends:
Dallas:
- 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
- 2-14 ATS in their last 16 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Brooklyn:
- 8-0 ATS in their last 8 games overall
- 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win.
The Brooklyn Nets seem to be in the driver seat for this super clash on Saturday afternoon. Without Kevin Durant for another few weeks, Kyrie Irving and James Harden have shouldered the team to the hottest form recently. Joe Harris has been a huge help for the Nets, who should have no problems in covering the spread and winning the game.
Pick: Take Brooklyn -4.5 at -110
The Total:
This smells like a high scoring affair. Both teams nurture the offensive style of play, as it was the case in their most recent meetings, when the over was recorded in 7 of their last head-to-head matches.
The line for the totals has been set at 237 points, but considering that the Over is 6-1 in Nets last 7 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points, and that the Over is 5-1 in Mavericks last 6 games following a ATS loss, your pick should be clear.
Pick: Go over 237.0 points at -110