NBA Picks: Dallas Mavericks vs. Washington Wizards

Dallas Mavericks vs. Washington Wizards
Wednesday, 1/1/14, 6:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Washington -1
Current Betting Line: Washington -1
Opening Total: 205
Current Total: 205
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Washington Wizards are 6-4 ATS as favorites this season

Dallas has won three of its last four games, including a 100-98 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves as four-point road underdogs Monday, while going UNDER the betting total of 212.5. The Mavericks are 7-9 SU on the road this season, including a 3-2 mark versus Eastern Conference opponents. Offensively, the team has four players averaging in double figures, with forward Dirk Nowitzki leading the way at 21.3 points a contest. Dallas is 4-9 SU and 7-6 ATS as an underdog this season, with the OVER going 8-5 in that situation.

The Mavericks will now try to win four straight away from home for the first time since March 16-30, 2011, while also going for their eighth consecutive victory over the Wizards. Dallas had five players score in double figures in a 105-95 win over Washington as 5.5-point home favorites on Nov. 12, while going UNDER the betting total of 205.5. The team has scored 100-plus points in each of its last eight games—averaging 106.3 points per game on 49.6 percent shooting over that span.

Washington has won five of its last six games, including a 106-99 victory over the Detroit Pistons as 2.5-point road underdogs Monday, while going OVER the betting total for the seventh time in eight contests. The Wizards have four of their five probable starters averaging in double figures, with point guard John Wall leading the charge at 20.2 points a contest. He has scored 20 or more points in a career-high seven consecutive games, which can’t be ignored when looking over the NBA betting lines. Washington is 7-3 SU and 6-4 ATS as a favorite this season, with the OVER going 7-3 in that situation.

The Wizards rank fourth in the league in shooting 39.4 percent from beyond the arc, with three players ranking among the top 34 in the league in that all-important statistical category. Washington needs shooting guard Bradley Beal to be the scoring compliment to Wall in the back court, as he’s second on the team in averaging 18.7 points per game.