Wizards vs. Mavericks prediction, odds, pick, spread

We’re back with another betting prediction and pick for today’s NBA action list as we turn our attention to the next cross-conference showdown. The Washington Wizards (6-38) will visit Dallas Mavericks (24-22) as the teams finish the season series, Dallas leads 1-0. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series with Wizards-Mavericks prediction and pick.

The Washington Wizards are last in the East and currently hold the worst record in the NBA. They last fell to the Phoenix Suns 119-109, snapping a 13-game losing streak and a 1-14 record in their last 15 games. They won’t be in a much better spot here as double-digit underdogs, but the Wizards will need to get a win sooner rather than later.

The Dallas Mavericks currently hold ninth place in the Western Conference after falling to the Boston Celtics 122-107. They are 6-4 in their last 10 games and have been bitten by injury, but they should see Luka Doncic return soon when they make a big push during the second half of the season.

Here’s Wizards-Mavericks NBA oddscourtesy of FanDuel.

NBA Odds: Odds Wizards-Mavericks

Washington Wizards: +12 (-108)

Moneilines: +500

Dallas Mavericks: -12 (-112)

Money line: -700

More: 231 (-110)

Under: 231 (-110)

How to watch Wizards vs. Mavericks

Time: 8:30 PM ET/ 5:30 PM PT

TV: Monumental Sports Network, NBA League Pass

*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (Get Access | Save $30)*

Why the Wizards might cover the spread/win

The Washington Wizards continue to fall, and with each loss they take, they’re getting closer to another shot at the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft. Last year’s No. 2 overall pick, Alec Sarr, certainly played well with 11.7 PPG and 6.8 RPG, but it wasn’t enough to really tilt the Wizards in the standings in terms of wins. They are not a fully healthy team right now and while Kyle Kuzma recently returned to action and made an immediate impact, this team continues to struggle to stop teams defensively and be competitive at the plate.

Jordan Poole continues to lead the Wizards in points, assists and steals while running the floor as their primary facilitator. Bilal Coulibaly has seen a huge increase in two-point minutes as he averages 11 points and four rebounds over his last 10 games. For the Wizards to win a game, it will usually take a 20+ point effort from both Kuzma and Poole to push them through against much better teams – they could have a solid matchup here against a broken Mavericks team.

Why the Mavericks could cover the spread/win

Luka Doncic will be re-evaluated in the coming days after the calf strain he suffered last month. While that’s great news for the Mavericks, they have to deal with the recent loss of Derek Lively to a stress fracture and Maxi Kleber to a broken foot. Forward Naji Marshall and center Dwight Powell will also be out due to illness, so the Dallas Mavericks will be forced to find production in the paint from either of their bench big men.

Players like Kessler Edwards and Kylor Kelly will need to step up and play significant minutes off the bench in this game. We also got to see PJ Washington play the four-point game the entire time, so don’t be surprised if he and Daniel Gafford are both constants in this game. Kyrie Irving is averaging 25.2 PPG over his last 10, so expect him to continue to score the ball at will and be aggressive in his forays to the rim.

Final Wizards-Mavericks Prediction & Pick

No team comes into this game at 100% and while Luka Doncic remains out of the Dallas Mavericks lineup, his team did a decent job without him and posted an 11-13 record. However, the injuries are starting to pile up on their bench and it doesn’t look like this team will be able to hold on to a position in the West if they continue to fall.

Regardless, the Wizards haven’t shown much, if any, ability to win a game like this on the road where they’re just 1-20 this season. Although they are slightly better ATS at 17-23, Dallas is much better at 22-23 ATS and 13-10 at home this season. Let’s play the Mavericks to cover the spread and take this one at home.

Finals Wizards-Mavericks prediction and pick: Dallas Mavericks -12 (-112)