There are just a few NBA games left before the All Star Break arrives, but there are some great games scheduled. On Monday night, the Dallas Mavericks are set to visit the Philadelphia 76ers for an interesting matchup.
Dallas comes into this game having lost three of their last four games, and they are needing to turn things around in a big way. The Mavericks are still sitting at 26-23 on the year, and they are in a good spot in the Western Conference.
Philadelphia was looking like an NBA title contender for much of the season, but they have been struggling to win games of late. The 76ers have gone just 1-4 in their last five games, and are coming into this game at 30-18 on the year.
The betting odds for this game are tight, but it’s the Mavericks that are slim 2.5-point road favorites over the 76ers.
Mavericks Must Defend
If the Dallas Mavericks are going to find a way to get back on track before the All Star Break, they are going to have to get better on defense. Dallas has allowed at least 120 points in five straight games, and that’s just not good enough to win games in this league.
An injury to Kyrie Irving has hurt this team on the offensive end of the floor, but there are other concerns as well. Dallas has continued to be a team that can score points this season, and they will need to shoot the ball well in this game.
Luka Doncic is having a huge season for the Mavericks as he is scoring 34.8 points per game, while also dishing out 9.6 assists per game.
Sixers Searching for Scoring
The Philadelphia 76ers are a team that is scoring 119.1 points per game, but that just hasn’t been the case of late. Philadelphia is now playing without Joel Embiid, and he was scoring over 35 points per game before his injury.
There is now more pressure on Tyrese Maxey to score some points, and he is averaging over 26 points per game. Philadelphia is not going to want to play extremely fast in this game as they just don’t have the weapons.
This is still a team that can be solid on defense, and they will be trying to apply a ton of pressure to the Dallas Mavericks in this matchup.
Philadelphia Plays Well at Home
This is a matchup of two teams that have been struggling, but this will be a chance for each team to get back on track. The Mavericks are dealing with some injury concerns, but they still have a ton of talent on this team.
Philadelphia will have to figure out how to play without their superstar, but they should start to get better at that as the season moves along. The Sixers will have the advantage of playing at home with some rest in this game, and that will make a difference.
Take the 2.5 points and back the home team in this game, but the 76ers should actually find a way to win this game outright.
