The Philadelphia 76ers (34-25) and Dallas Mavericks (34-26) will get their NBA start on Sunday in an afternoon tipoff from American Airlines Center. The 76ers come into this game having beaten the Hornets, while the Mavericks have lost three of their last four games. Dallas won 118-102 in the teams' previous meeting in early February.
Joel Embiid did not play in that game, remaining sidelined along with Robert Covington and De'Anthony Melton. Kelly Oubre Jr. is questionable for Philadelphia. Derek Lively is available for Dallas as he plays through a broken nose.
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Mavericks are 8.5-point favorites with a total of 238 points. Dallas is -360 on the money line, while Philadelphia is +285.
76ers vs. Mavericks, 1 p.m. ET
Select ATS: 76ers +8.5
Both teams are nearly identical when it comes to records against the spread. Philadelphia is 32-27 ATS and Dallas is 32-28 ATS. The Sixers are 15-12 ATS as a road side and are 2-3 after the All-Star break as they continue to play without Embiid. The Mavericks are fully healthy and have the best player on the floor in Doncic, but are 14-17 ATS at home and 9-10 as home favorites.
Even though Dallas has star power, I think Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris provide the 76ers with enough offensive power to keep this game close. Even if the Mavericks cover this line in the first matchup, give Philadelphia one to cover on Sunday afternoon.
Top/Bottom: Under 238 years old
The 76ers finished the season 33-26, but lost four of their five games since the All-Star break. The Mavericks are 30 wins, 29 losses, and 1 draw, which is better than they have in the past three conferences combined. Philadelphia is 16-11 on the road and Dallas is 14-17 at home. The last matchup was well below this line, and even with Kyrie Irving back in the Mavericks lineup this time around, I prefer the total to stay below 238.
