The San Antonio Spurs definitely smell the playoffs. The Spurs arrive in Dallas later tonight carrying a three-game win streak and a 44-25 win-loss record—good for sixth in the Western Conference. The 44-27 Mavericks, on the other hand, are having it rough of late, suffering back-to-back losses that hurt their chances of moving up the standings in the conference.
Still in the West, an interesting matchup between the Warriors and the Blazers will cap off today’s NBA schedule. Click here for a full preview of that game.
[sc:NBAArticles ]San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks Preview
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas
When: Tuesday, March 24, 2015, 8:00 PM ET
Line: San Antonio Spurs (-2.5) vs. Dallas Mavericks (+2.5); total: 205.5 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the San Antonio Spurs
After slaying the beasts of the east in the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, it’s clear that San Antonio is playoff-ready. Led by Tiago Splitter’s 23 points, the Spurs drubbed Atlanta, 114-95, to notch their third-straight win. The Spurs plan to extend their win streak when they arrive tonight in Dallas, where they are 5-5 SU and 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games there.
[sc:NBA240banner ]Splitter’s recent string of performances has been a pleasant surprise for the defending champs. Splitter is averaging just 8.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game this season, but has stepped up big time over the last five games, putting up 14.2 points and pulling down 7.2 rebounds per game during that stretch. He’s going to be a vital piece in the Spurs’ frontcourt against the Mavericks’ defense that allows 40.7 points in the paint per game.
Another Spur playing great of late is do-it-all forward Kawhi Leonard. Leonard was last seen on the court torturing Atlanta for 20 points while adding 10 rebounds, seven assists, and four steals. Leonard has averaged 18.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 3.7 steals per game in the Spurs’ three-game win streak. He’ll have to continue his hot streak in order to compensate for the absence of Manu Ginobili, who has missed the last four games due to a sprained ankle. Ginobili remains doubtful to play versus Dallas.
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Betting on the Dallas Mavericks
Unlike San Antonio, the Mavericks seem to be crumbling at an inopportune time. Dallas has lost its last two games after it suffered a 98-92 road loss at the hands of the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. The Mavericks return home tonight looking to prevent a three-game skid and solidify their chances of making the playoffs. They are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games in American Airlines Center.
Dallas’ mini-slump has coincided with Monta Ellis’ sudden drop in form. Ellis is the Mavs’ leading scorer, averaging 19 points per game on 44 percent shooting thus far this season, but over the team’s last two games the swingman has been anything but impressive. Ellis mustered just 11.5 points per game on an ugly 22.6 percent shooting during that span.
Ellis has averaged 32.0 points in two meetings this season versus the Spurs, though, and he’ll look to regain that hot shooting touch in the game tonight. Dallas is 8-16 this season in games where Ellis has shot worse than 40 percent.
Chandler Parsons and Dirk Nowitzki, meanwhile, will have to provide the much-needed scoring for Dallas, especially if Ellis continues to struggle. In the seven games since returning from an ankle injury, Parsons has averaged 17.3 points per game on 51.8 percent shooting. Nowitzki, on the other hand, is chipping in 16.1 points, including 2.3 three-pointers per game during the same period.
Writer’s Prediction
Dallas (+2.5) wins, 105-103.
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