The Dallas Mavericks visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night at Wells Fargo Center, both teams looking to bounce back from recent struggles. Dallas is 26-24 and eighth in the Western Conference, while Philadelphia sits at 19-29 and 11th in the East. The last time these teams met, the 76ers won 120-116 on March 3, 2024.
The Mavericks are dealing with the fallout of a blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. In their first game without Doncic, Dallas suffered a 144-101 loss to Cleveland, surrendering 91 first-half points. Meanwhile, the 76ers are also dealing with lineup uncertainty, with Joel Embiid and Paul George questionable for this matchup.
Mavericks Preview – Adjusting to Life Without Doncic
Dallas is struggling after trading their franchise player. The loss to Cleveland exposed their defensive weaknesses, as the Cavaliers hit a franchise-record 26 three-pointers. Anthony Davis has yet to suit up for the Mavericks as he recovers from an abdominal injury.
Without Doncic, the offense now relies on Kyrie Irving, but he is listed as questionable with a shoulder issue. Spencer Dinwiddie, Dante Exum, and Klay Thompson will need to step up, but Thompson struggled against Cleveland, going 1-for-10 from the field.
Defensively, Dallas will have its hands full if Embiid returns. Without him, the Mavericks may have a chance to control the paint, but they still need to improve their perimeter defense after being torched by Cleveland from deep.
76ers Preview – Can Maxey Lead Philadelphia to a Win?
Philadelphia is coming off a disappointing 118-110 loss to Boston, blowing a 26-point lead. Tyrese Maxey led the way with 34 points and has been the team’s most consistent scorer with Embiid sidelined.
The Sixers have relied on contributions from role players like Guerschon Yabusele, who had 21 points in the loss to Boston, and Kelly Oubre Jr., who added 18 points and 13 rebounds. However, their defense fell apart in the second half, allowing 54 points in the final two quarters.
Philadelphia’s success in this game hinges on its health. If Embiid and Paul George remain out, Maxey will have to carry the offense again. The Sixers’ defense, ranked 15th in the league, will need to find ways to slow down Dallas’ remaining scorers.
Betting Prediction
The 76ers are slight favorites at -2.5, with the total set at 226.5. Both teams are dealing with injuries and uncertainty, making this a tough game to predict. If Davis plays, Dallas could have an advantage inside, but if he remains out, the 76ers have the upper hand.
Philadelphia has been inconsistent, but Maxey has kept them competitive. The Mavericks are still adjusting to their new lineup and coming off a blowout loss. Given the uncertainty surrounding both rosters, the safer bet is on the home team to cover the spread.
Pick: 76ers -2.5
