Two teams decimated by COVID-19 are set to clash on Thursday night, as the Dallas Mavericks play host to the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks.
Luka Doncic and Trey Burke are the most recent additions to the growing list of Mavericks players who have been sidelined due to health and safety protocols, which has forced the team to seek out temporary replacements. The Bucks have fared no better, with two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo among the players who will be unavailable for Thursday’s contest.
Milwaukee is a 3.5-point favourite to win on the NBA odds, with a total of 209.0.
Bucks vs. Mavericks NBA Betting Odds
Thursday night’s matchup at American Airlines Center marks the first of two meetings between these teams this season. The Mavericks have held the clear edge in recent head-to-head matchups, winning outright in three of four dates with Milwaukee, while going undefeated against the spread. Indeed, Dallas has emerged as a reliable bet when hitting the floor against the Bucks. The Mavericks have compiled a solid 13-3-1 against the spread record in 17 dates with Milwaukee since February 2013, and have won and covered in seven of eight home clashes.
While the UNDER has paid out in totals betting in their past two matchups, there has typically been no lack of offence when these teams meet. The total has topped 220 in five of their past six matchups, but has reached that number just twice in their past six dates in Dallas.
Milwaukee Bucks
The loss of Giannis has impacted a Bucks squad that had already been struggling. The club improved to 2-2 in four outings without their superstar on Wednesday night, romping to a 126-106 win over the hapless Houston Rockets. However, Milwaukee shooters averaged just 101 points per game in a preceding two-game slide that featured losses to New Orleans and Cleveland. Jrue Holiday has stepped up in Giannis’ absence. The veteran point guard led all shooters with 24 points in Wednesday’s victory, and has now averaged 27.5 points per game and recorded two double-doubles over the past four contests.
Dallas Mavericks
The loss of Doncic is a huge blow to a Mavs squad that has already been hard hit by Covid-19. Doncic and Burke join a Covid list that already includes Reggie Bullock, Josh Green, Tim Hardaway and Maxi Kleber. The team has also been missing Kristaps Porzingis due to a toe injury. However, reports indicate the big man from Latvia could return to the lineup on Thursday. That would be big news for the Mavericks, who were forced to fill the void in the lineup by signing Theo Pinson and Marquese Chriss to 10-day contracts. The duo made immediate contributions in Tuesday’s 114-102 win over Minnesota, tallying a combined 13 points and 12 rebounds.
The team’s injury woes have also allowed Jalen Brunson to shine. Brunson has seen his workload increase over the past three games, and he has responded by averaging 23.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game over that stretch.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Bucks vs. Mavericks?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 23 Dec 2:47pm | MIL | -5 -110 | O +212.5 -110 |
| Closing 24 Dec 1:27am | MIL | -3.5 -110 | O +209.5 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Bucks Team Leaders
| Points |
29.88 |
| Assists |
6.82 |
| Rebounds |
11.61 |
| FG% |
55.3 |
| Steals |
1.61 |
| Blocks |
1.36 |
| Points |
28.42 |
| Assists |
8.74 |
| Rebounds |
9.12 |
| FG% |
67.1 |
| Steals |
1.15 |
| Blocks |
0.98 |
| Points |
31.67 |
| Assists |
7 |
| Rebounds |
14.17 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.75 |
| Blocks |
1.5 |
| Points |
31.67 |
| Assists |
6.4 |
| Rebounds |
9.8 |
| FG% |
62.9 |
| Steals |
1.8 |
| Blocks |
0.83 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Mavericks Team Leaders
| Points |
29.88 |
| Assists |
6.82 |
| Rebounds |
11.61 |
| FG% |
55.3 |
| Steals |
1.61 |
| Blocks |
1.36 |
| Points |
28.42 |
| Assists |
8.74 |
| Rebounds |
9.12 |
| FG% |
67.1 |
| Steals |
1.15 |
| Blocks |
0.98 |
| Points |
31.67 |
| Assists |
7 |
| Rebounds |
14.17 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.75 |
| Blocks |
1.5 |
| Points |
31.67 |
| Assists |
6.4 |
| Rebounds |
9.8 |
| FG% |
62.9 |
| Steals |
1.8 |
| Blocks |
0.83 |
Injuries
George Hill (PG)
Serge Ibaka (PF)
Luca Vildoza (PG)
Bobby Portis (PF)
Bobby Portis (PF)
Jordan Nwora (PF)
Jrue Holiday (PG)
Serge Ibaka (PF)
Brook Lopez (C)
Bobby Portis (PF)
Reggie Bullock (SG)
Maxi Kleber (PF)
Sterling Brown (SG)
Frank Ntilikina (PG)
Marquese Chriss (PF)
Maxi Kleber (PF)
Frank Ntilikina (PG)
Spencer Dinwiddie (PG)
Trey Burke (PG)
Sterling Brown (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Hill (PG) | Prob Wed | Abdominal - 10 / 05 / 22 | 1-2 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Hill is hampered by an abdominal injury, but it is projected that he will face the Celtics on Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. |
|||||
| Serge Ibaka (PF) | Prob Wed | Illness - 09 / 05 / 22 | 1-2 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Ibaka is ailing from an illness, but it is likely that he will be available for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Celtics. |
|||||
| Luca Vildoza (PG) | Prob Wed | Illness - 24 / 04 / 22 | 5-3 | 2-7 | + - |
|
Vildoza is ailing from a non-COVID-19 illness, but it is likely that he will be available for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Bulls. |
|||||
| Bobby Portis (PF) | Prob Fri | Eye - 21 / 04 / 22 | 5-5 | 2-9 | + - |
|
Portis is dealing with a right eye abrasion, but it is projected that he will hit the court against the Bulls in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Bobby Portis (PF) | Prob Wed | Calf - 19 / 04 / 22 | 5-5 | 2-9 | + - |
|
Portis is expected to dress for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Bulls despite a right calf contusion. |
|||||
| Jordan Nwora (PF) | Prob Wed | Back - 17 / 04 / 22 | 5-6 | 3-9 | + - |
|
Nwora is dealing with back soreness, but it is likely that he will take on the Bulls in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Jrue Holiday (PG) | day-to-day | Rest - 10 / 04 / 22 | 6-6 | 4-9 | + - |
|
Holiday exited Sunday's game due to rest purposes, and he will not return. |
|||||
| Serge Ibaka (PF) | Prob Sun | Illness - 10 / 04 / 22 | 6-6 | 4-9 | + - |
|
Ibaka is managing a non-COVID illness, but it is projected that he will be active against the Bulls for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Brook Lopez (C) | Out Sun | Rest - 09 / 04 / 22 | 6-6 | 4-9 | + - |
|
Lopez will not be in the starting lineup against the Cavaliers on Sunday as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Bobby Portis (PF) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 09 / 04 / 22 | 6-6 | 4-9 | + - |
|
Portis is battling left shoulder soreness, leaving his status for Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference versus the Bulls clouded. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reggie Bullock (SG) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 11 / 05 / 22 | 4-4 | 3-5 | + - |
|
Bullock is nursing a left knee injury, but it is projected that he will take the court against the Suns in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals. |
|||||
| Maxi Kleber (PF) | Ques Wed | Neck - 03 / 05 / 22 | 6-6 | 5-7 | + - |
|
Kleber is dealing with a neck injury, and it is unknown if he will face the Suns in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals. |
|||||
| Sterling Brown (SG) | Prob Sat | Illness - 10 / 04 / 22 | 11-8 | 8-11 | + - |
|
Brown is ailing from a non-COVID illness, but it is projected that he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Jazz. |
|||||
| Frank Ntilikina (PG) | Prob Mon | Illness - 09 / 04 / 22 | 12-8 | 9-11 | + - |
|
Ntilikina is dealing with a non-COVID illness, but it is likely that he will play in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round versus the Jazz. |
|||||
| Marquese Chriss (PF) | Prob Sun | Illness - 08 / 04 / 22 | 12-8 | 9-11 | + - |
|
Chriss was held out of the previous game due to a non-COVID-19 illness, but it is likely that he will be available for Sunday's tilt versus the Spurs. |
|||||
| Maxi Kleber (PF) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 02 / 04 / 22 | 13-9 | 11-11 | + - |
|
Kleber is hindered with right ankle soreness, but it is projected that he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Jazz. |
|||||
| Frank Ntilikina (PG) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 30 / 03 / 22 | 15-9 | 13-11 | + - |
|
Ntilikina sat out the last game due to a sprained right ankle, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Wizards on Friday. |
|||||
| Spencer Dinwiddie (PG) | Out Wed | Rest - 30 / 03 / 22 | 15-9 | 13-11 | + - |
|
Dinwiddie will not face the Cavaliers on Wednesday, as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Trey Burke (PG) | Prob Wed | Illness - 29 / 03 / 22 | 16-9 | 13-12 | + - |
|
Burke is in the league's health and safety protocol, but it is likely that he will return for Wednesday's game versus the Pistons. |
|||||
| Sterling Brown (SG) | Prob Fri | Personal - 25 / 03 / 22 | 17-10 | 13-14 | + - |
|
Brown missed the last game due to a personal issue, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Trail Blazers on Friday. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 23 Dec 2:47pm MIL -5 -110 O +212.5 -110 Closing 24 Dec 1:27am MIL -3.5 -110 O +209.5 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Bucks Team Leaders
Points 29.88
Assists 6.82
Rebounds 11.61
FG% 55.3
Steals 1.61
Blocks 1.36
Points 28.42
Assists 8.74
Rebounds 9.12
FG% 67.1
Steals 1.15
Blocks 0.98
Points 31.67
Assists 7
Rebounds 14.17
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.75
Blocks 1.5
Points 31.67
Assists 6.4
Rebounds 9.8
FG% 62.9
Steals 1.8
Blocks 0.83
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Mavericks Team Leaders
Points 29.88
Assists 6.82
Rebounds 11.61
FG% 55.3
Steals 1.61
Blocks 1.36
Points 28.42
Assists 8.74
Rebounds 9.12
FG% 67.1
Steals 1.15
Blocks 0.98
Points 31.67
Assists 7
Rebounds 14.17
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.75
Blocks 1.5
Points 31.67
Assists 6.4
Rebounds 9.8
FG% 62.9
Steals 1.8
Blocks 0.83
-
Injuries
George Hill (PG)
Prob Wed Abdominal - 10 / 05 / 22Serge Ibaka (PF)
Prob Wed Illness - 09 / 05 / 22Luca Vildoza (PG)
Prob Wed Illness - 24 / 04 / 22Bobby Portis (PF)
Prob Fri Eye - 21 / 04 / 22Bobby Portis (PF)
Prob Wed Calf - 19 / 04 / 22Jordan Nwora (PF)
Prob Wed Back - 17 / 04 / 22Jrue Holiday (PG)
day-to-day Rest - 10 / 04 / 22Serge Ibaka (PF)
Prob Sun Illness - 10 / 04 / 22Brook Lopez (C)
Out Sun Rest - 09 / 04 / 22Bobby Portis (PF)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 09 / 04 / 22Reggie Bullock (SG)
Prob Thurs Knee - 11 / 05 / 22Maxi Kleber (PF)
Ques Wed Neck - 03 / 05 / 22Sterling Brown (SG)
Prob Sat Illness - 10 / 04 / 22Frank Ntilikina (PG)
Prob Mon Illness - 09 / 04 / 22Marquese Chriss (PF)
Prob Sun Illness - 08 / 04 / 22Maxi Kleber (PF)
Prob Sat Ankle - 02 / 04 / 22Frank Ntilikina (PG)
Prob Fri Ankle - 30 / 03 / 22Spencer Dinwiddie (PG)
Out Wed Rest - 30 / 03 / 22Trey Burke (PG)
Prob Wed Illness - 29 / 03 / 22Sterling Brown (SG)
Prob Fri Personal - 25 / 03 / 22Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes George Hill (PG) Prob Wed Abdominal - 10 / 05 / 22 1-2 2-1 + - Hill is hampered by an abdominal injury, but it is projected that he will face the Celtics on Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Serge Ibaka (PF) Prob Wed Illness - 09 / 05 / 22 1-2 2-2 + - Ibaka is ailing from an illness, but it is likely that he will be available for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Celtics.
Luca Vildoza (PG) Prob Wed Illness - 24 / 04 / 22 5-3 2-7 + - Vildoza is ailing from a non-COVID-19 illness, but it is likely that he will be available for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Bulls.
Bobby Portis (PF) Prob Fri Eye - 21 / 04 / 22 5-5 2-9 + - Portis is dealing with a right eye abrasion, but it is projected that he will hit the court against the Bulls in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Bobby Portis (PF) Prob Wed Calf - 19 / 04 / 22 5-5 2-9 + - Portis is expected to dress for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Bulls despite a right calf contusion.
Jordan Nwora (PF) Prob Wed Back - 17 / 04 / 22 5-6 3-9 + - Nwora is dealing with back soreness, but it is likely that he will take on the Bulls in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Jrue Holiday (PG) day-to-day Rest - 10 / 04 / 22 6-6 4-9 + - Holiday exited Sunday's game due to rest purposes, and he will not return.
Serge Ibaka (PF) Prob Sun Illness - 10 / 04 / 22 6-6 4-9 + - Ibaka is managing a non-COVID illness, but it is projected that he will be active against the Bulls for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Brook Lopez (C) Out Sun Rest - 09 / 04 / 22 6-6 4-9 + - Lopez will not be in the starting lineup against the Cavaliers on Sunday as he will receive a day of rest.
Bobby Portis (PF) Ques Sun Shoulder - 09 / 04 / 22 6-6 4-9 + - Portis is battling left shoulder soreness, leaving his status for Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference versus the Bulls clouded.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Reggie Bullock (SG) Prob Thurs Knee - 11 / 05 / 22 4-4 3-5 + - Bullock is nursing a left knee injury, but it is projected that he will take the court against the Suns in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Maxi Kleber (PF) Ques Wed Neck - 03 / 05 / 22 6-6 5-7 + - Kleber is dealing with a neck injury, and it is unknown if he will face the Suns in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Sterling Brown (SG) Prob Sat Illness - 10 / 04 / 22 11-8 8-11 + - Brown is ailing from a non-COVID illness, but it is projected that he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Jazz.
Frank Ntilikina (PG) Prob Mon Illness - 09 / 04 / 22 12-8 9-11 + - Ntilikina is dealing with a non-COVID illness, but it is likely that he will play in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round versus the Jazz.
Marquese Chriss (PF) Prob Sun Illness - 08 / 04 / 22 12-8 9-11 + - Chriss was held out of the previous game due to a non-COVID-19 illness, but it is likely that he will be available for Sunday's tilt versus the Spurs.
Maxi Kleber (PF) Prob Sat Ankle - 02 / 04 / 22 13-9 11-11 + - Kleber is hindered with right ankle soreness, but it is projected that he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Jazz.
Frank Ntilikina (PG) Prob Fri Ankle - 30 / 03 / 22 15-9 13-11 + - Ntilikina sat out the last game due to a sprained right ankle, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Wizards on Friday.
Spencer Dinwiddie (PG) Out Wed Rest - 30 / 03 / 22 15-9 13-11 + - Dinwiddie will not face the Cavaliers on Wednesday, as he will be given a day of rest.
Trey Burke (PG) Prob Wed Illness - 29 / 03 / 22 16-9 13-12 + - Burke is in the league's health and safety protocol, but it is likely that he will return for Wednesday's game versus the Pistons.
Sterling Brown (SG) Prob Fri Personal - 25 / 03 / 22 17-10 13-14 + - Brown missed the last game due to a personal issue, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Trail Blazers on Friday.