The Dallas Mavericks (21-43) and Atlanta Hawks (33-31) will meet in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga. The game will broadcast live on FDSSE.
The Hawks are 9.5-point favorites over the Mavericks on the spread (Hawks -9.5), with the over/under set at 240.5 total points. Atlanta is a -395 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Dallas is +310 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Mavericks vs. Hawks predictions and NBA picks for Tuesday, March 10.
Mavericks vs Hawks Prediction, Pick
- Mavericks vs Hawks pick: Jalen Johnson Over 7.5 Assists (-105)
My Hawks vs. Mavericks best bet is on Johnson over 7.5 assists. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Mavericks vs Hawks Odds
| Mavericks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9.5 -105 | 240.5 -105o / -115u | +310 |
| Hawks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9.5 -115 | 240.5 -105o / -115u | -395 |
Mavericks vs Hawks NBA Preview
The 2018 NBA Draft featured Luka Doncic and Trae Young. Since then, the Mavericks and Hawks have been linked because of the draft-night trade for each other.
While each All-Star point guard led their franchise to at least a conference finals appearance, they have both been traded within the last 13 months.
However, these franchises have one more similarity: the new faces of their franchise are both do-it-all forwards from Duke.
It has been a slow build for Jalen Johnson since his college career was cut short and he fell to the 20th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
However, in his fifth season, Johnson has averaged 22.9 points, 10.5 rebounds and 7.9 assists. He earned his first All-Star appearance and will contend for All-NBA honors, as he needs to play in just eight more games to be eligible.
Expectations were much higher for Cooper Flagg as the National Player of the Year and after leading Duke to the Final Four.
Flagg was seen as a savior after the outrage of Mavericks fans following the Doncic trade.
Individually, he has been up to the task, as he is averaging 20.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. He is currently locked in a tight battle for Rookie of the Year with his former college teammate, Kon Knueppel.
While he has proven himself ready for the NBA, an injury-riddled season will keep the Mavericks out of the playoffs. A seven-game losing streak entering tonight's game has given them the seventh-worst record in the league.
However, that also means Flagg may have a young co-star next season, when the team will also get Kyrie Irving back.
Meanwhile, the Hawks are playing some of their best basketball of the season, as they have won their last six games. They are now two games above .500, and a win tonight would also bring them back to .500 at home this season.
The Hawks are 2.5 games back of the Magic for the sixth seed entering tonight's game.
They should also get back Jonathan Kuminga soon, as he is questionable with a left knee injury after missing the last two games.
Mavericks vs Hawks Predictions, Betting Analysis
Jalen Johnson Over 7.5 Assists
Johnson is eighth in assists in the league this season. He has recorded eight assists or more in six of the last nine games he has finished.
Dallas is 26th in assists allowed this season and 27th in rebounds allowed.
That will give Johnson the chance to flirt with his 12th triple-double of the season, which will almost certainly include eight assists.
CJ McCollum 15+ Points
A few of those assists may go to CJ McCollum, who has scored 15 points in nine of his last 10 games.
He has scored 15 in four of his last six games against Dallas, including 25 in November.
Onyeka Okongwu 20+ Points & Rebounds
Joining Johnson in recording double-doubles of late has been center Onyeka Okongwu.
Over his last 10 games, Okongwu is averaging 15.1 points and 7.7 rebounds, while recording five double-doubles.
He has recorded 20 PR in seven of those games and gets a great matchup tonight.
Cooper Flagg 20+ Points & Rebounds
Meanwhile, Flagg has not been as efficient from the field since returning from injury, but he still has scored 16 points in each of his last three games, while pulling down eight rebounds in two of them.
Flagg has recorded 20 PR in nine of his last 10 games, and I like that trend to continue to hopefully bring this parlay home.
Mavericks vs Hawks Best Bet
- Jalen Johnson Over 7.5 Assists (-105, DraftKings)
Mavericks vs Hawks Parlay Picks
- CJ McCollum 15+ Points
- Jalen Johnson Over 7.5 Assists
- Cooper Flagg 20+ Points & Rebounds
- Onyeka Okongwu 20+ Points & Rebounds
Parlay Odds: +298 via DraftKings
