NBA Handicapping – Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks (-13)
Warriors (+13) at Mavericks (-13)(O/U) 217
November 24, 9:00 PM ET
The Golden State Warriors (4-8 SU, 7-5 ATS, 6-6 O/U) are the hottest ATS team in the league, covering the spread for pro basketball betting enthusiasts in five straight games coming into tonight’s matchup.
The Dallas Mavericks (10-3 SU, 9-4 ATS, 6-7 O/U) are almost as hot as their counterparts tonight, going a blistering 4-1 against the spread (ATS) over their last five games.
The real difference between the two ballclubs lies in their ability to actually win their respective games straight up.
While the Warriors have struggled to win games, going an uninspiring 2-3 straight up, the Mavericks have been red-hot, winning each of their last five games.
Dallas will look to extend its convincing winning streak when they take to the court tonight at American Airlines Center at 9 PM ET.
The Warriors did manage to win their last time out, surprising the Portland Trail Blazers 108-94 to cover the NBA point spread as an 8-point home underdog. Monta Ellis is to thank for that as he poured in a game-high 34 points in the victory.
The Mavericks narrowly beat the surprising Sacramento Kings on Friday, holding on for a 104-102 victory as Dirk Nowitzki and Jason terry each scored a team-high 20 points.
The Mavericks failed to cover the NBA point spread as 10.5-point home favorites in the win.
Key Trends
Favorite is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.Home team is 14-3 ATS in the last 17 meetings.
Warriors are 23-8-1 ATS in the last 32 meetings.
Warriors are 0-4 ATS in the last 4 meetings in Dallas.
Over is 12-4 in the last 16 meetings in Dallas.
Over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
What the Warriors need to do to win
Run and gun – and try playing some defense.
Golden State’s only hope of beating the Mavericks in this contest is to outscore them. Golden State is averaging a fantastic 109.6 points per contest and can score the ball with any team in the game today. The only problem for the Warriors is their glaring lack of defense. Giving up a whopping average of 111.7 points per contest is going to get this ballclub a lot of losses.
What the Mavericks need to do to win
Continue doing what they’ve been doing.
Despite being seriously hampered by injuries, the Mavericks have been able to win a season-high five straight games by generally stopping their opponents when they need to most as their back-to-back overtime wins over San Antonio and Milwaukee suggest.
Dallas has been putting up 101.2 points per contest and that’s all fine and well, but it is the team’s defense, which allows just 95.2 points per contest that has them looking like serious title contenders in the Western Conference.
Analysis: I like the Mavericks to win this game at home and extend their five-game winning streak, I just don’t like them to cover a 13-point spread that is far too high against a team that can score the ball like the Warriors can.
Forget the fact that the Warriors have gone a dismal 0-4 ATS in the last four meetings in Dallas and look to the fact that Golden State has gone an impressive 23-8-1 ATS in the last 32 meetings.
Take the undermanned Warriors to cash in against the equally ailing Mavericks.
