Spurs vs Mavericks Picks – Mavs Continue To Dominate Spurs
Some online betting players have been skeptical of Dallas’ ability to hang in the Western Conference, but they ended with the second seed, and they got a favorable first-round matchup as they’ll be taking on the San Antonio Spurs, who don’t look like the championship team of the last decade.
The Story
The Mavericks have won their last two playoff series with the Spurs, including last year’s thrashing in five games, and Dallas won three of their four meetings this season. The Mavericks, overall, have won eight of their last 10 in their domination of this Texas rivalry, and they finished the season on a five-game winning streak, including a 96-89 win at home over the Spurs in the season finale, but San Antonio decided to sit Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili in that game.
Spurs vs Mavericks: Better Starters?
Tony Parker came back from a hand injury with six games left in the season to give the Spurs a boost, joining Duncan, Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess, but the other guard spot is up for grabs. Manu Ginobili can obviously start, but the Spurs like to bring him off the bench, a role in which he flourishes. With George Hill injured, Ginobili may be forced into the starting lineup.
Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd power the Dallas lineup, and Caron Butler is comfortable with the offense now, although he was bothered by his hip late in the season. Erick Dampier and Shawn Marion round out the lineup for defensive purposes, and Marion can still run the floor, which is great when you have a point guard like Kidd running the show.
Edge: MavericksSpurs vs Mavericks: Better Bench?
Strangely, the Spurs’ NBA betting odds would probably be better if they could leave Ginobili, the 2007-08 Sixth Man of the Year and perennial candidate in that category, on the bench. He is by far the most productive of the Spurs’ bench players, which include Roger Mason, rookie DeJuan Blair, and Matt Bonner, a group of players who know their roles, and do it effectively.
Jason Terry took the Sixth Man honor away from Ginobili last year, and the two will probably battle again. Brandon Haywood has been effective with Dampier in what is essentially a platoon situation, while Roddy Beaubois and J.J. Barea are capable of big things. However, the bench matchup will come down to Terry against Ginobili, and it’s too close to call.
Edge: EvenSpurs vs Mavericks: X-Factor?
For the Spurs, health is the key to their chances in your sportsbook. Parker has battled injuries this year, and now Hill has a sprained ankle. Duncan and Ginobili are getting up there in age, and an injury is always possible with them.
Kidd’s ability to slow down Parker will be key to the Mavericks’ chances, and even though the 37-year-old still has a sharp mind, his legs are having trouble keeping up with the quicker guards in the league, and Parker has had his way with Kidd before. Defensive rotations will be needed.
Who’s Gonna Win?
The Mavericks owning the Spurs lately is very strange, when you consider the core group in San Antonio have won three championships. They may be hitting the end of the road, but they’ll put up a better fight this year, at least. The Mavericks are more talented, deeper, and they have momentum from their streak at the end of the season. It may be time to start thinking about a rebuilding process in San Antonio. Take the Dallas Mavericks in your sports betting picks.
