The Dallas Mavericks have been on a steady climb up the Western Conference standings throughout the month of February, but on Thursday they’re up against a Philadelphia 76ers team that has only lost twice at home this year and has the best record in the East.

Philadelphia comes into this game as 4.5-point favourites to win on the NBA odds with a total of 227.5.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Dallas has not paid off well for bettors this season.  The Mavericks are 13-17 against the spread overall and have only covered in four of their last 15 games.  They’re exactly even at 15-15 on the Over/Under, but Dallas comes into Thursday after hitting the Over in seven of their last nine games.

Despite their inconsistency, the 76ers have found a way to climb to the top of the Eastern Conference standings, mainly due to their play at home.  The Sixers have won 13 of 15 home games this season and have covered the spread in 10 of those games.  Philly has hit the Over in five of their last six games against a Western Conference opponent and nine of 15 home games overall.

Dallas Mavericks

The Mavs are still in the thick of things in the Western Conference and sit just one spot back of the final playoff spot.  Dallas has won their last two games, including a 110-107 decision over Boston on Tuesday.  Luka Doncic, who seems to be destined for an MVP award at some point in his career, led the Mavs on Tuesday with a game-high 31 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.  Doncic leads Dallas in points (28.9), rebounds (8.6), assists (9.2) and steals (1.0).  He’s also a clutch player who scored two huge three-pointers, including the game-winner, against the Celtics.

After snapping a six-game winless streak earlier in the month, Dallas is heating up at the right time and have won seven of their last nine games.  Although they obviously rely heavily on Doncic’s offence, the defensive side is starting to come together for this team.  Kristaps Porzingis could return from a back injury on Thursday and Jalen Brunson is coming off a 22-point effort against Boston.  Dallas could be on the verge of going on a heater and moving even further up the Western Conference standings.

Philadelphia 76ers

No team has been better in the East than the conference-leading 76ers.  Philadelphia has won three of their last four games, including a 109-102 win over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday.  Tobias Harris responded to his All-Star snub by leading the Sixers with 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists on Tuesday.  Harris has hit another level recently and has averaged 23.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists over his last five games.

Joel Embiid has been the biggest reason Philly sits atop the Eastern Conference standings.  The big man has cemented himself into MVP consideration.  Embiid leads the Sixers in points (29.8), rebounds (11.3) and blocks (1.3).  Despite a rough outing that saw Embiid shoot a combined 9-of-33 from the floor over his last two games, he has a great chance to pick apart Dallas’ weak front court on Thursday.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Mavericks vs. 76ers?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Mavericks Team Leaders

DAL

Points	Luka Doncic 27.73
Assists	Luka Doncic 8.59
Rebounds	Kristaps Porzingis 8.86
FG%	Willie Cauley-Stein 63.2
Steals	Josh Richardson 1.03
Blocks	Kristaps Porzingis 1.35

PHI

Points	Joel Embiid 28.45
Assists	Ben Simmons 6.91
Rebounds	Joel Embiid 10.57
FG%	Dwight Howard 58.7
Steals	Matisse Thybulle 1.62
Blocks	Joel Embiid 1.35

DAL

Points	Luka Doncic 35.71
Assists	Luka Doncic 10.29
Rebounds	Boban Marjanovic 8
FG%	Dwight Powell 87.5
Steals	Kristaps Porzingis 1.29
Blocks	Kristaps Porzingis 0.71

PHI

Points	Joel Embiid 28.09
Assists	Ben Simmons 8.83
Rebounds	Joel Embiid 10.55
FG%	Ben Simmons 62.1
Steals	Matisse Thybulle 1.33
Blocks	Joel Embiid 1.45

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

76ers Team Leaders

DAL

Points	Luka Doncic 27.73
Assists	Luka Doncic 8.59
Rebounds	Kristaps Porzingis 8.86
FG%	Willie Cauley-Stein 63.2
Steals	Josh Richardson 1.03
Blocks	Kristaps Porzingis 1.35

PHI

Points	Joel Embiid 28.45
Assists	Ben Simmons 6.91
Rebounds	Joel Embiid 10.57
FG%	Dwight Howard 58.7
Steals	Matisse Thybulle 1.62
Blocks	Joel Embiid 1.35

DAL

Points	Luka Doncic 35.71
Assists	Luka Doncic 10.29
Rebounds	Boban Marjanovic 8
FG%	Dwight Powell 87.5
Steals	Kristaps Porzingis 1.29
Blocks	Kristaps Porzingis 0.71

PHI

Points	Joel Embiid 28.09
Assists	Ben Simmons 8.83
Rebounds	Joel Embiid 10.55
FG%	Ben Simmons 62.1
Steals	Matisse Thybulle 1.33
Blocks	Joel Embiid 1.45

Injuries

Dallas

Maxi Kleber (PF)

Prob Sun Achilles - 05 / 06 / 21

Maxi Kleber (PF)

Prob Sun Achilles - 29 / 05 / 21

Maxi Kleber (PF)

Prob Fri Achilles - 27 / 05 / 21

Maxi Kleber (PF)

Ques Tues Achilles - 24 / 05 / 21

Maxi Kleber (PF)

Prob Sat Achilles - 14 / 05 / 21

JJ Redick (SG)

Mid June Heel - 12 / 05 / 21

JJ Redick (SG)

Out Fri Rest - 07 / 05 / 21

Maxi Kleber (PF)

Ques Tues Achilles - 03 / 05 / 21

Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)

Ques Tues Ankle - 02 / 05 / 21

JJ Redick (SG)

Out Sat Rest - 01 / 05 / 21

Philadelphia

Danny Green (SG)

Late June Calf - 11 / 06 / 21

Seth Curry (SG)

Prob Wed Ankle - 01 / 06 / 21

George Hill (PG)

Prob Wed Knee - 01 / 06 / 21

Tobias Harris (SF)

Prob Sat Ankle - 28 / 05 / 21

Seth Curry (SG)

Prob Sat Ankle - 28 / 05 / 21

Seth Curry (SG)

Ques Wed Hand - 24 / 05 / 21

Tobias Harris (SF)

Ques Sun Rest - 16 / 05 / 21

Furkan Korkmaz (SG)

Prob Sun Ankle - 15 / 05 / 21

Shake Milton (PG)

Prob Sun Knee - 15 / 05 / 21

Danny Green (SG)

Ques Sun Hip - 15 / 05 / 21

Injuries

Dallas

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Maxi Kleber (PF)	Prob Sun	Achilles - 05 / 06 / 21	1-1	0-2	+ -
Kleber is nursing an Achilles injury, but it is anticipated that he will participate in Game 7 of the Western Conference first round against the Clippers.
Maxi Kleber (PF)	Prob Sun	Achilles - 29 / 05 / 21	2-3	2-3	+ -
Kleber is nursing an Achilles injury, but it is anticipated that he will participate in Game 4 of the Western Conference first round against the Clippers.
Maxi Kleber (PF)	Prob Fri	Achilles - 27 / 05 / 21	2-3	2-3	+ -
Kleber is nursing an Achilles injury, but it is anticipated that he will play in Game 3 of the Western Conference first round against the Clippers.
Maxi Kleber (PF)	Ques Tues	Achilles - 24 / 05 / 21	3-3	2-4	+ -
Kleber is battling with right Achilles soreness, and it is unknown if he will he will take on the Clippers in Game 2 of the Western Conference first round.
Maxi Kleber (PF)	Prob Sat	Achilles - 14 / 05 / 21	4-5	5-4	+ -
Kleber is battling an Achilles injury, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Clippers in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.
JJ Redick (SG)	Mid June	Heel - 12 / 05 / 21	4-6	6-4	+ -
Redick is sidelined with right heel soreness, and he is not expected to return to the court until at least the middle of June.
JJ Redick (SG)	Out Fri	Rest - 07 / 05 / 21	7-6	7-6	+ -
Redick will not be active against the Cavaliers on Friday as he will receive a day of rest.
Maxi Kleber (PF)	Ques Tues	Achilles - 03 / 05 / 21	8-7	8-7	+ -
Kleber has missed the last four games with a sore right Achilles, and it is unclear if he will lace up for Tuesday's clash against the Grizzlies.
Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)	Ques Tues	Ankle - 02 / 05 / 21	9-8	10-7	+ -
Hardaway missed the last game due to an ankle injury, and it is unclear if he will be in the lineup versus the Heat on Tuesday.
JJ Redick (SG)	Out Sat	Rest - 01 / 05 / 21	9-8	10-7	+ -
Redick will not be in the lineup on Saturday against the Wizards, as he will be given a day of rest.

Philadelphia

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Danny Green (SG)	Late June	Calf - 11 / 06 / 21	3-2	1-4	+ -
Green has a right calf strain, and he will be sidelined for two to three weeks.
Seth Curry (SG)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 01 / 06 / 21	4-4	4-4	+ -
Curry is dealing with a left ankle sprain, but he is likely to be in the lineup versus the Wizards for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round.
George Hill (PG)	Prob Wed	Knee - 01 / 06 / 21	4-4	4-4	+ -
Hill is battling a left knee contusion, but he is projected to be available for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Wizards.
Tobias Harris (SF)	Prob Sat	Ankle - 28 / 05 / 21	6-4	5-5	+ -
Harris is expected to line up for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Wizards despite an ankle injury.
Seth Curry (SG)	Prob Sat	Ankle - 28 / 05 / 21	6-4	5-5	+ -
Curry is tending to a left ankle sprain, but it is projected that he will face the Wizards in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Seth Curry (SG)	Ques Wed	Hand - 24 / 05 / 21	6-5	6-5	+ -
Curry is tending to a hand injury, and it has yet to be established if he will face the Wizards in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Tobias Harris (SF)	Ques Sun	Rest - 16 / 05 / 21	8-5	8-5	+ -
Harris is dealing with right knee recovery, and he will receive a day of rest on Sunday versus the Magic.
Furkan Korkmaz (SG)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 15 / 05 / 21	8-5	8-5	+ -
Korkmaz is projected to take on the Magic on Sunday despite a right ankle sprain.
Shake Milton (PG)	Prob Sun	Knee - 15 / 05 / 21	8-5	8-5	+ -
Milton is managing right knee soreness, but it is likely that he will participate in Sunday's matchup with the Magic.
Danny Green (SG)	Ques Sun	Hip - 15 / 05 / 21	8-5	8-5	+ -
Green is dealing with a hip injury, and it is unclear if he will be active for the Eastern Conference first round against the Wizards.