Jan 17, 7:14am | 4 min read

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Dallas Mavericks: Picks, Predictions & Statistics

NBA

Dan Canova

Share to Facebook

Share to Twitter

Copy Link

Our expert hoops handicappers Dan Canova gives his best picks for today's games

ANALYSIS

In Thursday’s NBA games, the Milwaukee Bucks were pipped back from a 27-point lead but held on to see off the Boston Celtics 128-123.

Kawhi Leonard scored 32 points and Montrezl Harrell added 21 from the bench as the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Orlando Magic 122-95, while the New Orleans Pelicans brought the Utah Jazz's 10-game NBA winning streak to an end with a 138-132 win in overtime.

Here are Today’s NBA Picks:

BET OF THE DAY:

Washington Wizards @ Toronto Raptors

Since the 2015-16 NBA season, the Washington Wizards have an 83-101-3 against the spread record as an away team in night games. (Stat courtesy of Statschecker)

The Toronto Raptors enter this matchup looking for some consistency. Over the last nine games, dating back to a game against the Boston Celtics on Dec. 28, the Raptors have alternated wins and losses.

They haven’t won consecutive games since victories over the Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks back on Dec. 20 and Dec. 22, respectively.

The last time these two teams squared off, Kyle Lowry finished with 26 points, nine assists and four rebounds, and Serge Ibaka contributed 23 points and 10 boards for the Raptors in a 122-118 victory.

Bradley Beal finished with a game-high 37 points to go with seven rebounds and six assists in the loss.

The Raptors have won six straight games against the Wizards, and they have a 20-4 record against them since the 2013-14 NBA season. Feel confident taking the Raptors minus the 9.5 points in this matchup.

2u – Raptors (-9.5) @ -120

Chicago Bulls @ Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers have an 84-56-2 against the spread record as a home team in night games since the 2016-17 NBA season. (Stat courtesy of Statschecker)

The Philadelphia 76ers will carry an impressive 19-2 home record into tonight’s contest against the Chicago Bulls.

In their last matchup against the Brooklyn Nets, Tobias Harris finished with 34 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, and Ben Simmons had 20 points, 11 assists and six boards for the Sixers in a 117-106 win.

The Sixers will continue to be without All-Star center Joel Embiid, who tore a ligament in his left hand, but it shouldn’t make too much of a difference in this game at home. The Bulls are 3-7 in their last 10 games, and they have a 15-27 overall record.

The 7.5 points is nothing for the Sixers who’ve been fantastic in their home building. Feel good about taking Philadelphia minus the points in this one.

1u – 76ers (-7.5) @ -105

Portland Trail Blazers @ Dallas Mavericks

Since the 2012-13 NBA season, the Portland Trail Blazers have a 7-17 against the spread record in night games against the Dallas Mavericks (Stat courtesy of Statschecker)

The Dallas Mavericks enter this matchup having won three consecutive games, which include victories over the Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors and most recently the Sacramento Kings.

Mavericks star Luka Doncic finished with 25 points, 15 rebounds and 17 assists, which led to his NBA-high 12th triple-double, in a 127-123 victory over the Kings on Wednesday night.

Tim Hardaway Jr. added 18 points, six rebounds and two assists, and Dwight Powell chipped in 17 points and nine boards for the Mavs in the win.

It looks like the Mavericks will be without Kristaps Porzingis once again, but they should be able to skate by a very disappointing Trail Blazers team. If for some reason Porzingis does play, he brings even more of an effect to the game and the Mavs should be able to handle the Blazers handily.

Take the Mavs minus the points in this one.