Tip off: 8:35 PM EST
Spread: DAL -10.5
Total: 188
M/L: DAL -600, NJN +475
Betting Odds from Bookmaker
New Jersey
The Nets sit at 10-25, but they did just get Brook Lopez back. While I’m not expecting a huge late season surge that will propel the Nets into the playoffs, they should be a much improved team with Lopez’ 20 points per game in the offense, something that was much needed, as their second leading scorer right now is rookie MarShon Brooks.
And that brings me to my next point: If the Nets can keep Deron Williams in town and pair him with MarShon Brooks, that gives the Nets a nice back court for the next 4 to 5 seasons. Lopez is a good big man, and Humphries may or may not re-sign, but the Nets will have some cap flexibility and a new arena, and they should be able to land a good player with their draft pick in this year’s draft. They also own Houston’s first rounder and an extra second round pick from Miami. The Nets could be in a nice place by this time next season.
Nets Betting Trends:
New Jersey is 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games and the total has gone UNDER in 4 of their last 5 games. The Nets are 2-10 SU in their last 12 games and they are 7-18 SU in their last 25 road games. The total has gone UNDER In 4 of their last 5 on the road and it has gone OVER in 5 of their last 7 games against the Dallas Mavericks. The Nets are 0-5 SU in their last 5 against Dallas and 7-15 ATS In their last 22 against the Mavs. The Nets are 0-5 SU in their last 5 on the road against the Mavs and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games against the Mavs.
Dallas
The defending champs sit at 21-13 right now, and ended their first half of the season by losing to the Lakers by 5. They won six straight prior to a 7 point loss to the Linsanity led Knicks on Feb. 19th, and they’ve defeated a number of quality teams over the last month: Denver, twice; Portland, L.A. Clippers, Boston, and Philadelphia.
The Mavs are getting contributions from one of the oldest casts of players in the league. Shawn Marion seems to have found the fountain of youth, and Vince Carter is still proving to be an effective scorer off the bench. Lamar Odom is experiencing personal problems of some sort, but could eventually return and give the Mavs yet one more weapon.
Are the Mavs better than last season? Of course not. But many realized that what we saw was likely the swan call for Nowitzki and the Mavs, unless they re-tool. There has been talk of adding Deron Williams after this season, as the Mavs have the money to spend and Williams is a free agent. Pairing a top five point guard with Dirk would still be enough to make a team like the Mavs contenders, particularly if they added some toughness better than Brendan Haywood on the interior.
Mavs Betting Trends:
Dallas is 7-2 SU in their last 9 games and the total has gone UNDER in 4 of their last 6 games. It has also gone UNDER in 5 of their last 7 at home and the Mavs are 4-1 SU in their last 5 home games. The total has gone OVER In 5 of the Mavs’ last 7 games against New Jersey and the Mavs are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games against the Nets. The Mavs are 5-0 SU in their last 5 at home against New Jersey, as well.
