The Dallas Mavericks (11-18) and New Orleans Pelicans (7-22) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, La. The game will broadcast live on KFAA.
The Mavericks are 1.5-point favorites over the Pelicans on the spread (Mavericks -1.5), with the over/under set at 241.5 total points. Dallas is a -125 to win outright on the moneyline, while New Orleans is +105 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Mavericks vs. Pelicans predictions and NBA picks for Monday, December 22.
Mavericks vs Pelicans Prediction, Picks
- Mavericks vs Pelicans pick: Over 241.5 (-105)
My Mavericks vs Pelicans best bet is on the over, with the best price currently available at DraftKings. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Mavericks vs Pelicans Odds
| Mavericks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -112 | 241.5 -105o / -115u | +105 |
| Pelicans Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -108 | 241.5 -105o / -115u | -125 |
Mavericks vs Pelicans NBA Preview
Yesterday, Cooper Flagg turned 19, so he probably enjoyed having an off day a bit. However, it also ends one of the best runs by an 18-year-old that the league has seen.
Among 18-year-olds, Flagg ranks in the top five all-time in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, ranking second or better in three of the categories. The No. 1 overall pick is averaging 18.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game.
His strong play of late has vaulted the Mavericks back into Play-In contention, as they enter this game 1.5 games behind the Blazers for the 10th seed.
Dallas enters tonight's game winning six of its last 10 games. Anthony Davis has been a major factor as well, averaging about 20 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks per game.
Davis returns to New Orleans after being selected as the team's No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. He averaged 23.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks in seven seasons in New Orleans.
Davis should be a full go as he is not on the injury report for tonight's game. Flagg is questionable along with Max Christie and Klay Thompson, while Dereck Lively II is out.
Though the Pelicans received a ton of criticism on draft night for their trade with Atlanta, they left with two of the best rookies in this year's class.
Derik Queen, Flagg's high school teammate, is averaging 13 points, 6.7 rebounds, and four assists, while Jeremiah Fears is averaging 15.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. However, their minutes have been in flux lately as the team has gotten healthier.
The third No. 1 pick in this game, Zion Williamson, returned three games ago and has been playing off the bench, while Jordan Poole returned four games ago.
Herb Jones is questionable tonight, but if he is a go, that will leave the team just waiting on the season debut of Dejounte Murray.
It is a good problem as the Pelicans have won their last four games, including an overtime victory over the Rockets.
Mavericks vs Pelicans Prediction, Betting Analysis
With a clearer injury picture, I would lean toward the Mavericks in this game, particularly as underdogs.
However, I do expect a ton of points on the board. Over their last 10 games, Dallas is 7-3 to the over while New Orleans is 6-4 in that span.
Additionally, Dallas is seventh in pace this season, while the Pelicans have been playing at a top-five pace over their last four games.
If Flagg is available tonight, he should be a significant factor. Over his last 10 games, he is averaging 24 points per game, scoring 20 or more in 7 of them. He has also scored 20 points in both games against the Pelicans this season.
Davis has missed the first two games against the Pelicans this season, but he has enjoyed a lot of success against his former team.
Over his last six games against New Orleans (with the Lakers), Davis is averaging 22.8 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. He has scored 20 points in the last five games against them.
With a nearly healthy roster, New Orleans figures to have several double-digit scorers tonight.
However, Trey Murphy is one I like in particular. He scored 15 points in each of his last four games since Poole and Williamson returned, and in nine of his last 10 overall. He also has scored 15 points in five of his last seven against Dallas.
Meanwhile, P.J. Washington has had seven rebounds in nine of his last 10 games and in five straight against the Pelicans.
In two games against New Orleans this season, he has recorded 11 and 9 rebounds.
Pick: Over 241.5 (-105)
Mavericks vs Pelicans Parlay Picks
- Anthony Davis 20+ Points
- Cooper Flagg 20+ Points
- Trey Murphy 15+ Points
- P.J. Washington 7+ Rebounds
Parlay Odds: +310 via DraftKings
