NBA Picks: Philadelphia 76ers at Dallas Mavericks
Both Teams Coming Off Embarrassing Defeats
Something has got to give as both the Philadelphia 76ers and the Dallas Mavericks look to bounce back from embarrassing defeats in their last outing. The 76ers succumbed to the Washington Wizards while the Dallas Mavericks fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Markets have gone to press with tight NBA odds for this game, offering angles for profit on both sides of the coin.
- Game: Philadelphia 76ers (31-20) at Dallas Mavericks (29-23)
- Location:American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
- Day/Time: Friday, 10 p.m. ET
- Television: ESPN
Philadelphia 76ers at Dallas Mavericks
Visitors Aim to Rebound
The Philadelphia 76ers dropped the ball at home on Wednesday night with a 106-103 loss to the Washington Wizards. Bookmakers closed the 76ers as the 10-point home favorites over the lowly Wizards in NBA betting markets, but the outcome was unexpectedly a lot closer than the odds had it.
The Sixers were riding a four-game winning streak at home. Form and confidence was on their side, and they got the production from their stars that they needed with both Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey surpassing the 20-point mark. And yet, the Sixers weren’t able to bank on those standout performances.
Embiid had a chance to tie the game in the last 10 seconds but he failed to power the ball through. Coach Doc Rivers was of the opinion his All-Star center was fouled, but the call didn’t come. That may well have proved to be the clincher for Washington’s improbable road victory.
Embiid finished with 27 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. Maxey added 22 points, eight rebounds and seven assists while Tobias Harris put up 18 points, nine rebounds and three assists.
.@stephenasmith lays down his list of the Top 5 NBA MVP Candidates 👀
1. Joel Embiid
2. Ja Morant
3. Chris Paul
4. Nikola Jokic
5. Devin Booker pic.twitter.com/gPZXVoO6g9— First Take (@FirstTake) February 3, 2022
Overall, the Sixers are a solid 31-20 on the season and in third place in the Eastern Conference standings. They’re merely one game back of the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat and just nudging ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks in the conference.
Against the Atlantic Division, the Sixers are comfortably in first place with a two-game lead over the Brooklyn Nets. In the last 10 games, Philadelphia’s record stands on a 7-3 record – a run of form that includes a 6-4-0 record against the spread (ATS).
Mavericks Look to Snap Two-game Skid
The Dallas Mavericks are riding a two-game losing streak into Friday’s contest with the Philadelphia 76ers after dropping decisions to the Orlando Magic (away) and Oklahoma City Thunder (home). The upshot of which sees the Mavericks slip to a 6-4 record in their last 10 games.
The Mavericks closed as the whopping 12-point home favorites against the struggling Thunder in betting online markets, but they failed to come through on those expectations in the 120-114 loss. TheThunder tied the game at 103 to force overtime, although Luka Doncic tried to beat the buzzer with a three-pointer that went awry.
Age 22.
10th All-time in triple-doubles.
3X #NBAAllStar.Let’s get it, @luka7doncic 🪄 pic.twitter.com/1738szzCts
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) February 4, 2022
Doncic finished the night with some dizzying stats. He put up 40 points, six rebounds and 10 assists. Jalen Brunson added 20 points, five rebounds and four assists while Reggie Bullock added 23 points, eight rebounds and one assist. However, for all these stats, the Mavs seemingly ran out of gas in overtime.
Overall, the Mavericks are fifth overall in the Western Conference with a 29-23 record. That said, they’re a staggering 12½ games back of the Phoenix Suns and two games behind the Utah Jazz (fourth). As well, only half a game separates the Mavericks from the Denver Nuggets.
The Mavericks are second in the Southwest Division, six games behind the Memphis Grizzlies. They boast a 16-10 record at home with a 12-13-1 ATS record that includes a four-point winning margin on average.
NBA Predictions and Picks
The NBA market is cornered with the Dallas Mavericks across the sportsbook exchange, but with the line nestled on a 1½-point spread, the advantage appears to be negligible for NBA free picks. Moreover, the public appears to be backing the Sixers to come through as the small road underdogs.
The fact that the betting is going against the odds highlights the unpredictability of this matchup. It also suggests the shine might have come off of the Mavericks after losing to two of the worst teams in the league. However, insofar as the Sixers will be keen to atone for their defeat to the Wizards, the Mavericks will be just as keen – if not more – to atone for those embarrassing defeats.
It’s not quite a pick’em in the betting, but the Mavericks to bounce back at home does is the choice bet here.
