The Dallas Mavericks (29-24) and the Memphis Grizzlies (27-25) will square off tonight in a game with huge implications, as the eighth-place Grizz are just 1.5 games behind the Mavs as we creep toward the playoffs. Both teams have gone 6-4 in their last 10 outings, though the Mavericks have lost three of their last four, including a 102-93 loss to the Rockets. The Grizzlies are in a better spot as they’ve won five of their last seven, most recently a 101-90 victory over the Bulls earlier this week.
Mavericks vs. Grizzlies, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Pick ATS: Grizzlies +2.5
These two sides are evenly matched, so the game could end up going either way. Dallas has players like Luka Doncic, Kristaps Porzingis, and newly-acquired JJ Redick, who can help them come out on top over almost any team. The Grizz have powerhouses like Ja Morant and Jonas Valanciunas, who can combine for off-the-chart performances in any given game. Memphis is missing a handful of players due to injury though, which includes Jaren Jackson Jr (knee), De’Anthony Melton (leg), Justise Winslow (quadriceps), and Jontay Porter (knee). Facing off against a healthy Mavericks team might just be too much for them to overcome. That being said, Memphis is 32-20 against the spread this season, and they can clearly get the job done against other teams even with their injuries, so I’m going to lean in their direction for covering the spread on this one.
Player Prop: Jonas Valanciunas O17.5 points (-127)
Valanciunas has averaged 17 points per game this season overall, but that stat goes much higher when looking at games in April. Through his last seven games, he’s averaged 22 points with one 34-point performance last week against the Pacers. Odds are he’ll have no trouble scoring at least 20 tonight against the Mavericks, so this one seems to be a no brainer.
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