Dallas Mavericks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction: Figuring It Out in Dallas
Dallas Mavericks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction: Figuring It Out in Dallas
When: Monday, November 29, 8:30 p.m. ET
Where to Watch: NBA League Pass
Spread: Mavs -6
Total: 211.5
Click Here For Mavericks vs. Cavaliers Odds
Mavericks vs. Cavaliers Prediction
If someone had told you before the season started that the Luka-led Dallas Mavericks would go into a home game with a record of 10-8 against a Cavs team that had lost five of six and would be giving so few points, you’d have thought Vegas was drunk. And yet, here we are.
That’s how uneven things have been in Big D of late, with the Mavs losers of four of five games and sporting a negative point differential that barely ranks inside the league’s top 20. The problem, at least recently, has been health. After Luka missed three straight games and Dallas dropped all three, he returned and helped them beat the Clippers in LA before dropping a close home game to the Washington Wizards on Saturday.
Now they face a Cleveland squad that started as one of the league’s best surprises but is now 10-10 after perhaps the worst rash of injuries in the league. They’ve mostly gotten healthy save for Collin Sexton, who is out for the rest of the year after tearing a meniscus in his knee, but it hasn’t helped them right the ship.That said, they’re still fighting, especially given the competition. They lost close games to the Celtics, Nets, Warriors, Nets, and Suns before finally getting a W at home against the Orlando Magic two days ago. Yet, even with a difficult schedule overall, they still have a positive point differential and remain the second-best team in the league against the spread. Vegas isn’t drunk; they just aren’t believers.
They may yet change their minds, but it won’t be after this game. Doncic has rebounded since an early-season shooting slump, and this was right about the time last season when they started to put it together. From the 20 game mark until the end of the year, the Mavs owned the eighth-best net rating in the league after beginning the season right around where they are now. So give the points at home.
Mavericks vs. Cavaliers Pick
- Mavs -6 (-110)
Los Angeles Clippers vs. New Orleans Pelicans Prediction
When: 10:30 p.m. ET
Where to Watch: NBA League Pass
This is an easy game to overthink. The Pelicans have several recent quality wins: in Utah by one, a blowout of the surprising Wizards in New Orleans, and ten days ago, a defeat of these very Clippers by 13 points.
That game was at home while this one is on the road, but even so, it’s easy to wonder whether Los Angeles should be getting any points in this game, let alone close to double digits.
Don’t get caught in the trap. While the Clippers are only 3-5 in their last eight games, all of those losses have come either on the road or against quality opponents. This game is neither. On the year, even with their recent struggles, LA has the 9th ranked net rating in the league while the Pelicans sport the fourth-lowest figure in the NBA.
The list of blowouts New Orleans has suffered is also a long one, and when things start poorly, they don’t usually have the energy to fight back.
The Clips have been inconsistent, but this is a game they’ll be able to take care of business, especially with that recent loss fresh on their minds. So go with the home team.
Clippers vs. Pelicans Pick
- Clippers -7 (-110)
Dean of Knicks Film School, host: KFS Pod, co-host: Pick N Pod. There isn't much about Knicks basketball that Jonathan doesn't know and he's here to break down the big games each and every week.