The Brooklyn Nets test the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night when the two teams meet at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
The Nets continue to play without their top players but have gotten a big lift from the play of Spencer Dinwiddie who has taken over the scoring duties in Brooklyn. The Nets though have lost three in a row and have lost four out of their last five games played. The Mavericks are off to a great start but the recent injury to Tim Hardaway Jr. has contributed to the team losing back to back games. Kristaps Porzingis also missed their last game and he is listed as questionable for this game.
Three Straight Losses
The Brooklyn Nets head to Dallas having lost three straight games. Brooklyn has fallen to 16-16 on the year after losing six out of their last nine games played. In their last assignment, the Nets lost to the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves 115-122, in overtime.
Spencer Dinwiddie had another big game with 36 points while Joe Harris helped in the scoring cause with 19 points. Dinwiddie has scored at least 20 points in 18 out of the 21 games that Brooklyn has played without Kyrie Irving. Wilson Chandler added 13 points while Garrett Temple and Taurean Prince each scored 11 markers for Brooklyn
The Nets rank 16th in the league in scoring at 110.6 points per game. They are the 2nd highest rebounding team in the league at 48.9 boards grabbed per contest and are 17th in passing at 23.6 assists per outing. Brooklyn is ranked 13th in scoring defense at 111.4 points per game allowed.
Back to Back Defeats
The Dallas Mavericks have suffered back to back defeats for the first time since November 15, 2019. The Mavs are now 21-12 SU on the season and in 2nd place in the Southwest Division, just 1.5 games behind the Houston Rockets. In their last game, the Mavs lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder 101-106.
Luka Doncic had another impressive outing with 35 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists but the Mavs had trouble making up for the absence of starters Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr. who sat out the game with injuries. The Mavs have made at least 10 three-point baskets in their last 21 games played.
Dallas ranks 4th in the league in scoring at 116.3 points per game. They are 3rd in rebounding at 48.1 boards grabbed per contest and are 14th in passing at 24.5 assists per game. The Mavericks are allowing their opponents to score an average of 108.8 points per game, 16th in the NBA this season.
Who Wins?
Brooklyn is 1-4 SU in their last five games played. The Nets are 1-4 SU in their last four games played on the road. Dallas is 13-7 SU in their last 20 games played. The Mavericks are 9-7 SU in their last 16 games played at home, 6-14 SU in their last 20 January games, and 2-11 SU in their last 13 Thursday games. Head to head, the Mavs are 6-4 SU in their last 10 games played against the Nets.
The Nets have fought through injuries this season. They were already without KD at the start of the year. Now Kyrie Irving and Caris LeVert are also hurt. Spencer Dinwiddie has done a good job stepping up but the Nets have lost three in a row right now.
Dallas lost Tim Hardaway Jr. to injury during their loss to the Lakers. Then Kristaps Porzingis missed their last game against the OKC Thunder with soreness in his knee. Porzingis is listed as day to day but there is no timetable for his return. Given the possibility of missing two starters, Doncic has his job cut for him.
Luka Doncic is coming off yet another fantastic outing, The Super sophomore has been MVP material for the Mavs. The Nets are also finding ways to win with Spencer Dinwiddie leading them but Dallas should take care of business here. The Nets are 7-10 on the road this season and Dallas is 9-7 at home.
Prediction: Dallas Mavericks
Other Bets to Make
The Nets are 1-4 ATS in their last five games played. Brooklyn is 1-4 ATS in their last five games played on the road. The Mavs are also 1-4 ATS in their last five games played. Dallas is 6-10 ATS in 16 home games played this year, and 2-5 ATS in their last seven games against the Atlantic Division. Head to head, the Nets are 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games played against the Mavs. Brooklyn is also 6-2 ATS in their last eight road games against Dallas.
Nets
+8.5 (-110)
Mavericks
-8.5 (-110)
Odds from BetOnline as of 01/02/20
The Mavericks could be without two starters here with Porzingis and Hardaway Jr. listed as day to day due to injuries. Dallas has failed to cover the spread in their last two games played with Hardaway out With Porzingis possibly out too, that could spell trouble for Dallas. However, the Nets have their injury issues with Caris LeVert, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant all out too. Brooklyn is 0-4 ATS in their last four road games against an opponent with a winning home record. Dallas is 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games after an SU loss and 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 games after an ATS defeat.
Prediction: Mavericks -8.5
The total has gone under in 17 out of the 32 games played by the Nets. The under is 9-8 in Brooklyn’s 17 road games played this season and also 5-2 in their last seven games played against the Western Conference. The total has gone under in four out of the last five games played by the Mavericks. The under is also 4-1 in Dallas’ last five home games. Head to head, the total has gone over in four out of the last five games between these two teams.
Over
221 (-115)
Under
221 (-105)
Odds from BetOnline as of 01/02/20
These teams have combined to score an average of 208.5 points per game in their last 10 meetings. The Nets have failed to top 100 points in two out of their last three games played and for the season, they are in the bottom half in the league when it comes to scoring points. The Mavericks are the 4th highest-scoring team in the league this season but have scored 102 or fewer points in three out of their last four games played. Dallas could be without starters Porzingis and Hardaway Jr. here.
Prediction: Under 221