Game: Golden State Warriors @ Dallas Mavericks
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Odds: Warriors -2, Mavericks +2
Total: 234.5
Golden State is a road favorite tonight for one reason. Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd is likely to have to make two important game-time decisions. His two best players, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, are listed as questionable on the injury report. Both players have been in and out of the lineup over the last week or so. Tonight’s matchup is a crucial one in the Western Conference playoff race.
The Warriors are currently in sixth place in the West with a 37-36 record. Dallas trails Golden State by a half-game at 36-36. Tonight’s game is the third and final matchup of the season between the two teams. The No. 6 seed makes the playoffs automatically. The seventh-place team must take part in the play-in tournament.
Prior to the Warriors winning 121-108 at Houston on Monday night to end an 11-game road losing streak, the Mavericks lost at Memphis 112-108. Golden State had lost three straight prior to the win over the Rockets. The Mavs had won two in a row before losing to the Grizzlies. Tonight’s winner will take the season series. The home team has won both games so far.
The Mavericks did not have Irving and Doncic together for either of the first two games against Golden State. That could happen again tonight. Doncic has a strained left thigh and has missed the last five games. Irving missed three games last with an issue with the big toe on his right foot. He did play against the Lakers on the road last Friday and scored 38 points. Irving had 28 in the loss to Memphis on Monday. After the game against the Grizzlies, Irving was seen wearing a walking boot.
Fans would love to see an Irving-Stephen Curry matchup for the second time this season. When Irving was with Brooklyn earlier this season, he and his teammates beat the Warriors in San Francisco 120-116. Irving scored 38 points for Brooklyn. Curry’s 26 points in the loss brought his career average against Irving to 23.8 points per game. Ironically, Irving also averages 23.8 points per game in 17 games against Golden State.
On Monday in Houston, Curry scored 30 points and Klay Thompson added 29, helping the Warriors end a disastrous 11-game road losing streak. Golden State has the worst road record of any team that is in playoff contention right now. The Warriors are just 8-29 when playing away from home.
Golden State is just 3-6 SU and ATS in its previous nine games. The Mavs aren’t much better going 5-10 SU in their last 15 games. They have covered in four of their last five games, but they are just 1-5 ATS in their last six home games.
Dallas is 5-1 SU in their last six home games against Golden State. The Warriors are 5-2 SU in the last seven games against the Mavericks. Golden State is 7-13 ATS in their last 20 games against Dallas. The Warriors are also just 1-11 ATS in their last 12 road games.
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