Philadelphia (31-20) at Dallas (29-23)
When: Friday, February 4th 2022
Where: American Airlines Center,
Dallas, TX
Time: 10:00 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: OFF
The Dallas Mavericks look to rebound from a couple of embarrassing losses when they host the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night at American Airlines Center. The Mavericks, who are fifth in the Western Conference standings heading into Thursday’s action have dropped back-to-back games for the first time since Dec. 23 and 25. The setbacks were against teams they were heavily favored in. On Sunday, Dallas was 5-point favorites at Orlando, but lost 110-108, then were shocked by the Oklahoma City Thunder at home 120-114 in overtime as 12-point favorites. The team is just 3-6 ATS in their last nine games overall and will now face a Philadelphia team who are one of the best in the league away from home.
The 76ers, who lead the Atlantic Division by two games, are tied for 2nd with the Brooklyn Nets and Memphis Grizzlies for the second-best road record in the league at 17-9. Phoenix is tops at a ridiculous 19-4. Philadelphia is just 14-11 at home including a 106-103 loss on Wednesday to the Washington Wizards at Wells Fargo Center. That snapped a five-game winning streak for the Sixers with four of them at home. Philly stands just 1.5 games behind the Chicago Bulls for the top spot in the Eastern Conference and will play their next two on the road – Friday in Dallas and Sunday at Chicago. The 76ers swept the two meetings last season and covered the spread in both as well.
Tyrese Maxey is proving to be a star in Philadelphia and is coming off a 22-point, eight-rebound and seven-assist night in the loss to the Wizards. It was his fourth career game with at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists. Maxey, who earlier this week was chosen for the Rising Stars competition for All-Star Weekend, has an impressive assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.9 to 1 this season, and didn’t turn the ball over against Washington. Superstar Joel Embiid returned from a one-game rest to record 27 points, 14 rebounds and six assists against the Wizards, while Tobias Harris contributed 18 points. Isiah Joe and Georges Niang both came off the bench to score 11 and 12 points respectively.
Luka Doncic had 40 points and 10 assists, and Reggie Bullock added 23 points and eight rebounds, but it wasn’t enough for the Mavericks to overcome the Thunder on Wednesday. The Mavericks erased a nine-point fourth quarter deficit by holding OKC to just 18 points in the final frame, but allowed the Thunder to score 17 in the five-minute overtime. Kristaps Porzingis missed his second straight game because of a bone bruise on his right knee and won’t play on Friday. Jalen Brunson added 20 points against the Thunder, but missed all four of his 3-point attempts. The Mavericks will continue their long homestand on Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks.
There is no line for this game yet, but I’m leaning towards the 76ers. They are so much better on the road for some reason and they are 14-7 against the West.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free NBA Picks page for today.
Pick: Check back later…
