The Mavericks control their fate when it comes to avoiding the play-in round, as they enter Wednesday a game up on the seventh-placed Los Angeles Lakers. Winning out might be enough to push Dallas past Portland and into fifth place in the Conference.
With each of their final three regular-season opponents boasting sub-.500 records, the Dallas Mavericks have no excuses as they look to secure one of the top six seeds in the Western Conference standings. That quest resumes Wednesday night against a visiting New Orleans Pelicans team that will need a minor miracle to secure the final West play-in berth, trailing 10th-place San Antonio by 2 ½ games with just three contests left to play.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
A line that opened with the Mavericks as double-digit favourites has since settled in at Dallas -8.5. The Mavs are an impressive 4-1 against the spread in their previous five games, though they’re coming off a 133-104 setback to the Memphis Grizzlies that halted a four-game winning streak and might leave some doubt in the minds of bettors. There’s also the fact that the Pelicans have been red-hot ATS of late, coming in with an 8-1 mark over their past nine games.
The total is set at 224, with the Over and Under boasting identical -110 odds. These teams are on the opposite end of the spectrum with regard to season-long trends, with the Pelicans at 39-29-1 O/U for the year and the Mavericks at 31-38. That said, the Mavericks have converted the Over in six of their past nine games overall, and these teams are an eye-popping 9-4 to the Over in their previous 13 head-to-head encounters.
New Orleans Pelicans
Expect the Pelicans to pull out all the stops – but only figuratively – in their final push to an unlikely postseason berth. New Orleans ranks 25th in the NBA in points allowed per game (115.1), negating its eighth-ranked offence (114.8) and leaving it on the cusp of missing the playoffs for a third consecutive season. The Pelicans are a sizzling 16-6 SU when they score more than 120 points this season, and just 15-32 when they don’t.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks control their fate when it comes to avoiding the play-in round, as they enter Wednesday a game up on the seventh-placed Los Angeles Lakers. Dallas will wrap up its regular-season docket with games against the Pelicans, Toronto Raptors and Minnesota Timberwolves, who are a combined 47 games below .500 as of Wednesday. Winning out might be enough to push Dallas past Portland and into fifth place in the Conference.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Pelicans vs. Mavericks?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 12 May 1:47pm | NO | -9 -110 | O +224 -110 |
| Closing 12 May 11:57pm | NO | -9.5 -110 | O +225.5 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Pelicans Team Leaders
| Points |
27 |
| Assists |
5.75 |
| Rebounds |
8.86 |
| FG% |
62.5 |
| Steals |
1.49 |
| Blocks |
0.86 |
| Points |
27.73 |
| Assists |
8.59 |
| Rebounds |
8.86 |
| FG% |
63.2 |
| Steals |
1.03 |
| Blocks |
1.35 |
| Points | |
| Assists | |
| Rebounds | Did not qualify |
| FG% | |
| Steals | |
| Blocks |
| Points |
35.71 |
| Assists |
10.29 |
| Rebounds |
8 |
| FG% |
87.5 |
| Steals |
1.29 |
| Blocks |
0.71 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Mavericks Team Leaders
| Points |
27 |
| Assists |
5.75 |
| Rebounds |
8.86 |
| FG% |
62.5 |
| Steals |
1.49 |
| Blocks |
0.86 |
| Points |
27.73 |
| Assists |
8.59 |
| Rebounds |
8.86 |
| FG% |
63.2 |
| Steals |
1.03 |
| Blocks |
1.35 |
| Points | |
| Assists | |
| Rebounds | Did not qualify |
| FG% | |
| Steals | |
| Blocks |
| Points |
35.71 |
| Assists |
10.29 |
| Rebounds |
8 |
| FG% |
87.5 |
| Steals |
1.29 |
| Blocks |
0.71 |
Injuries
James Johnson (PF)
Naji Marshall (PF)
Wes Iwundu (SF)
Lonzo Ball (PG)
Brandon Ingram (SF)
Steven Adams (C)
Lonzo Ball (PG)
Steven Adams (C)
Steven Adams (C)
Steven Adams (C)
Maxi Kleber (PF)
Maxi Kleber (PF)
Maxi Kleber (PF)
Maxi Kleber (PF)
Maxi Kleber (PF)
JJ Redick (SG)
JJ Redick (SG)
Maxi Kleber (PF)
Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)
JJ Redick (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Johnson (PF) | Ques Sun | Knee - 15 / 05 / 21 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Johnson was forced from the last contest with a left knee injury, leaving his status for Sunday's battle with the Lakers clouded. |
|||||
| Naji Marshall (PF) | Prob Fri | Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Marshall was removed from the last game with a right shoulder injury, but he is expected to dress for Friday's tilt with the Warriors. |
|||||
| Wes Iwundu (SF) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Iwundu sat out the last game due to a left shoulder sprain, and it is unclear if he will play against the Lakers on Sunday. |
|||||
| Lonzo Ball (PG) | out for season | Thumb - 12 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Ball is out of commission with a right thumb strain, and he miss the remainder of the season. |
|||||
| Brandon Ingram (SF) | out for season | Ankle - 05 / 05 / 21 | 4-2 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Ingram is expected to miss the remainder of the 2020-21 season with a low-left ankle sprain. |
|||||
| Steven Adams (C) | out for season | Toe - 05 / 05 / 21 | 4-2 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Adams will miss the rest of the 2020-21 season with a right toe sprain. |
|||||
| Lonzo Ball (PG) | Prob Tues | Thumb - 04 / 05 / 21 | 4-3 | 2-5 | + - |
|
Ball is managing a right thumb sprain, but it is likely that he will dress for Tuesday's battle with the Warriors. |
|||||
| Steven Adams (C) | Prob Tues | Toe - 29 / 04 / 21 | 8-3 | 3-8 | + - |
|
Adams has missed the last three games with a right toe sprain, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Warriors on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Steven Adams (C) | Prob Wed | Toe - 25 / 04 / 21 | 8-4 | 3-9 | + - |
|
Adams missed the last game with a sprained right toe, but it is likely that he will lace up for Wednesday's clash with the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Steven Adams (C) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 23 / 04 / 21 | 9-4 | 4-9 | + - |
|
Adams exited the previous contest with an ankle injury, but it is likely that he will be in the lineup Saturday versus the Spurs. |
|||||
| 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. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 12 May 1:47pm NO -9 -110 O +224 -110 Closing 12 May 11:57pm NO -9.5 -110 O +225.5 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Pelicans Team Leaders
Points 27
Assists 5.75
Rebounds 8.86
FG% 62.5
Steals 1.49
Blocks 0.86
Points 27.73
Assists 8.59
Rebounds 8.86
FG% 63.2
Steals 1.03
Blocks 1.35
Points Assists Rebounds Did not qualify FG% Steals Blocks Points 35.71
Assists 10.29
Rebounds 8
FG% 87.5
Steals 1.29
Blocks 0.71
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Mavericks Team Leaders
Points 27
Assists 5.75
Rebounds 8.86
FG% 62.5
Steals 1.49
Blocks 0.86
Points 27.73
Assists 8.59
Rebounds 8.86
FG% 63.2
Steals 1.03
Blocks 1.35
Points Assists Rebounds Did not qualify FG% Steals Blocks Points 35.71
Assists 10.29
Rebounds 8
FG% 87.5
Steals 1.29
Blocks 0.71
-
Injuries
James Johnson (PF)
Ques Sun Knee - 15 / 05 / 21Naji Marshall (PF)
Prob Fri Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21Wes Iwundu (SF)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21Lonzo Ball (PG)
out for season Thumb - 12 / 05 / 21Brandon Ingram (SF)
out for season Ankle - 05 / 05 / 21Steven Adams (C)
out for season Toe - 05 / 05 / 21Lonzo Ball (PG)
Prob Tues Thumb - 04 / 05 / 21Steven Adams (C)
Prob Tues Toe - 29 / 04 / 21Steven Adams (C)
Prob Wed Toe - 25 / 04 / 21Steven Adams (C)
Prob Sat Ankle - 23 / 04 / 21Maxi Kleber (PF)
Prob Sun Achilles - 05 / 06 / 21Maxi Kleber (PF)
Prob Sun Achilles - 29 / 05 / 21Maxi Kleber (PF)
Prob Fri Achilles - 27 / 05 / 21Maxi Kleber (PF)
Ques Tues Achilles - 24 / 05 / 21Maxi Kleber (PF)
Prob Sat Achilles - 14 / 05 / 21JJ Redick (SG)
Mid June Heel - 12 / 05 / 21JJ Redick (SG)
Out Fri Rest - 07 / 05 / 21Maxi Kleber (PF)
Ques Tues Achilles - 03 / 05 / 21Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)
Ques Tues Ankle - 02 / 05 / 21JJ Redick (SG)
Out Sat Rest - 01 / 05 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes James Johnson (PF) Ques Sun Knee - 15 / 05 / 21 0-2 2-0 + - Johnson was forced from the last contest with a left knee injury, leaving his status for Sunday's battle with the Lakers clouded.
Naji Marshall (PF) Prob Fri Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21 1-2 2-1 + - Marshall was removed from the last game with a right shoulder injury, but he is expected to dress for Friday's tilt with the Warriors.
Wes Iwundu (SF) Ques Sun Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21 1-2 2-1 + - Iwundu sat out the last game due to a left shoulder sprain, and it is unclear if he will play against the Lakers on Sunday.
Lonzo Ball (PG) out for season Thumb - 12 / 05 / 21 1-2 2-1 + - Ball is out of commission with a right thumb strain, and he miss the remainder of the season.
Brandon Ingram (SF) out for season Ankle - 05 / 05 / 21 4-2 2-4 + - Ingram is expected to miss the remainder of the 2020-21 season with a low-left ankle sprain.
Steven Adams (C) out for season Toe - 05 / 05 / 21 4-2 2-4 + - Adams will miss the rest of the 2020-21 season with a right toe sprain.
Lonzo Ball (PG) Prob Tues Thumb - 04 / 05 / 21 4-3 2-5 + - Ball is managing a right thumb sprain, but it is likely that he will dress for Tuesday's battle with the Warriors.
Steven Adams (C) Prob Tues Toe - 29 / 04 / 21 8-3 3-8 + - Adams has missed the last three games with a right toe sprain, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Warriors on Tuesday.
Steven Adams (C) Prob Wed Toe - 25 / 04 / 21 8-4 3-9 + - Adams missed the last game with a sprained right toe, but it is likely that he will lace up for Wednesday's clash with the Nuggets.
Steven Adams (C) Prob Sat Ankle - 23 / 04 / 21 9-4 4-9 + - Adams exited the previous contest with an ankle injury, but it is likely that he will be in the lineup Saturday versus the Spurs.
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.