Big Game Report #51

By Chase Bailkin

Dallas Mavericks

(18-16)

VS

San Antonio Spurs

(18-14)

8th West

7th West

Fanduel Odds

We’re back fellas. All star weekend was a perfect time to take a break and just like the players I am well rested and ready to get back to work. The start to March was not good but I am ready to turn it around! Get back on the horse and lets have a great month. Tonight’s game may not be between the two best teams in the league, but it is certainly a big game for both teams. They are 7th and 8th in the Western Conference, are battling each other for best team in Texas, and both look to find an identity. The Spurs have played great team basketball this year, and have not relied heavily on DeRozan (classic Popovich). The Mavericks started slow but have really picked up steam in the last month - they got a lot of new faces this season and KP came back from an injury so they went through some growing pains early on, but they seem to have it figured out now. This game is big for the Mavericks who could drop out of the top 8 with a loss tonight. They have home court advantage, are fully healthy, and won their last 3 before all star break, so they certainly are in the right position to get a win tonight. I think they will get a win, but that Popovich and the Spurs will find a way to keep it close. I think it may take the teams a quarter or two to get back in the flow of the game in the first game back after all star break, and that they will focus on defense in the first half. Popovich is one of the smartest coaches and knows he has to keep the ball out of Luka’s hands, so I anticipate the Spurs to play very aggressive with him and force someone else to make shots. Take the Spurs +4, first half under 110 total points, under 223.5 total points, and Luka Doncic under 8.5 assists.