Dallas (35-23) at San Antonio (24-32)
When: Wednesday, February 26th, 2020
Where: AT&T Center,
San Antonio, TX
Time: 8:35 ET | TV: FS Southwest
Opening Odds: Dallas -5/227.5
The Dallas Mavericks are the only team currently in the top eight of either conference that has a better road record than home, and it’s not even close. The Mavs take to the road for a four-game trip beginning Wednesday when they visit the road-weary San Antonio Spurs. Dallas posted the fourth-most points this season in a 139-123 home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday to improve to 16-14 at home, but are 19-9 on the road and own an impressive 18-7-2 ATS mark. The Mavericks sit comfortably in the No. 7 spot in the Western Conference, 6.5 games clear of No. 8 Memphis and one game behind sixth-place Oklahoma City. The Spurs return home after their annual ‘Rodeo Trip’ and are in danger of missing the postseason for the first time since the 1996-97 campaign. San Antonio went 2-6 on their trek while their home venue was unavailable due to the presence of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. This team could be in for a big rebuild if DeMar DeRozan turns down his nearly $28 million player option to hit free agency, which seems likely and next season is also the last year of LaMarcus Aldridge’s deal. San Antonio, Portland, New Orleans, Phoenix and Sacramento are all grouped trying to catch the Grizzlies for the final playoff spot in the West. This is the third meeting between the Spurs and Mavericks this season, with Dallas taking the first two at home back in the 2019 portion of the schedule. Prior to this season, the Spurs had won five in a row and 15 of the previous 17. The Spurs have won four straight and 16 of the last 17 regular-season matchups in San Antonio, but Dallas has covered seven of the past 10 in this series.
Luka Doncic had 20 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in the win over the T’Wolves on Monday after missing the previous game with right ankle soreness. Tim Hardaway Jr. led the team with 23 points, while Kristaps Porzingis had 15 points and nine rebounds after also missing the last game with a minor injury/rest. Dallas had three reserves with at least 11 points including Delon Wright’s 16 – his second straight double-digit contest. One of the usual key bench players, guard Jalen Brunson, didn’t play due to a right shoulder sprain and will miss the entire four-game road trip. He averages 8.2 points and 3.3 assists in about 18 minutes per game. Dallas heads to South Beach on Friday to take on the Miami Heat.
The Spurs concluded their eight-game swing with a 131-103 blowout loss in Oklahoma City on Sunday. It was Oklahoma City’s largest margin of victory ever against San Antonio, as the Spurs shot just 36.9 percent from the field. DeRozan had 11 points and Aldridge just eight. That’s three games in a row under 20 points for DeRozan, who also had been dealing with some back spasms. He’s still one of only three players in the NBA averaging 20+ points, 5+ rebounds and 5+ assists while making over half his shots from the field. Point guard Dejounte Murray was scoreless on 0-of-7 shooting against the Thunder after averaging 24 points on 19-of-28 shooting over the previous two games. The Spurs will host the Orlando Magic on Saturday.
I know the Spurs have been on the road for a while, but they have not been playing well. Their home record hasn’t been much better over a long stretch (11-23 ATS last 34 home games) and the Mavericks are one of the best road teams. I’ll lay the points.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free NBA Picks page for Wednesday. He is 65-51-3 on the season after a 6-0 run!
Pick: Mavericks -5.5
Mavericks are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite.
Mavericks are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Mavericks are 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 games as a road favorite.
Mavericks are 18-7-1 ATS in their last 26 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Mavericks are 9-4-1 ATS in their last 14 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Mavericks are 36-16-3 ATS in their last 55 road games.
Mavericks are 11-5-2 ATS in their last 18 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Mavericks are 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Mavericks are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up win.
Mavericks are 4-11-2 ATS in their last 17 games following a ATS win.
Mavericks are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 Wednesday games.
Spurs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game.
Spurs are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
Spurs are 15-5 ATS in their last 20 games as a home underdog.
Spurs are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Spurs are 19-8 ATS in their last 27 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Spurs are 11-23 ATS in their last 34 home games.
Spurs are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games playing on 2 days rest.
Spurs are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Spurs are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Spurs are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Spurs are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 Wednesday games.
Spurs are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss.
Spurs are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games following a road trip of 7 or more days.
Spurs are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 8-1 in Mavericks last 9 overall.
Over is 8-1 in Mavericks last 9 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 8-1 in Mavericks last 9 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 6-1 in Mavericks last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 6-1 in Mavericks last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-1 in Mavericks last 6 games following a straight up win.
Over is 5-1 in Mavericks last 6 games as a road favorite.
Over is 5-1 in Mavericks last 6 road games.
Over is 4-1 in Mavericks last 5 games following a ATS win.
Over is 4-1 in Mavericks last 5 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Over is 6-2 in Mavericks last 8 Wednesday games.
Over is 28-11 in Mavericks last 39 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 35-16 in Mavericks last 51 games as a favorite.
Over is 35-17 in Mavericks last 52 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.
Over is 4-0-1 in Spurs last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 5-1-1 in Spurs last 7 overall.
Over is 5-1-1 in Spurs last 7 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-1-1 in Spurs last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1-1 in Spurs last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1-1 in Spurs last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Spurs last 5 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
Over is 4-1-1 in Spurs last 6 games as an underdog.
Under is 4-1 in Spurs last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 4-1 in Spurs last 5 home games.
Over is 17-5-2 in Spurs last 24 games after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game.
Over is 6-2 in Spurs last 8 Wednesday games.
Under is 11-4 in Spurs last 15 games playing on 2 days rest.
Under is 8-3 in Spurs last 11 home games following a road trip of 7 or more days.
Over is 40-19-2 in Spurs last 61 games following a straight up loss.
Mavericks are 10-4 ATS in the last 14 meetings.
Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Mavericks are 6-0 ATS in the last 6 meetings in San Antonio.
