The Dallas Mavericks (12-21) and Portland Trail Blazers (13-19) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET from the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. The game will be broadcast live on NBC and Peacock.
The Blazers are 3.5-point favorites over the Mavericks on the spread (Trail Blazers -3.5), with the over/under set at 232.5 total points. Portland is a -142 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Dallas is +120 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Mavericks vs. Trail Blazers predictions and NBA picks for Monday, December 29.
Mavericks vs Trail Blazers Prediction, Picks
- Mavericks vs Trail Blazers pick: Donovan Clingan Over 24.5 Points + Rebounds (-110)
My Trail Blazers vs Mavericks best bet is on Donovan Clingan to record over 24.5 points and rebounds, with the best price currently available DraftKings. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Mavericks vs Trail Blazers Odds
| Mavericks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -118 | 232.5 -108o / -112u | +120 |
| Trail Blazers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -102 | 232.5 -108o / -112u | -142 |
Mavericks vs Trail Blazers NBA Preview
The Trail Blazers pulled off a 114-108 upset victory of the Celtics last night as they snapped a three-game losing streak and moved back into the 10th seed in the Western Conference.
Deni Avdija led the way with 24 points, seven rebounds, and 10 assists for his ninth double-double of the season. He was joined by Donovan Clingan, who had 18 points and 18 rebounds.
Portland ranks just 25th in offensive rating at home. It was also without Jrue Holiday, who will be out again, and Jerami Grant, who likely will be as well on the back-to-back, but the team has not submitted an injury report.
Despite being shorthanded, it was still able to defeat a red-hot Celtics team and move 1.5 games ahead of the Mavericks in the Western Conference.
Portland was in position to secure a victory in the first meeting, but could not hang on to a fourth quarter as Dallas rallied for a 138-133 victory.
The Mavericks have won eight of the last meetings against Portland, and covered in seven of them. However, homecourt could be a factor in this one. Dallas is just 3-11 on the road this season and has dropped each of their last six road games.
Dallas will be without Dereck Lively II for the remainder of the season after he went underwent foot surgery. Its triple towers could be down to just Daniel Gafford if Anthony Davis is out once again.
Davis left Dallas' Christmas Day loss to the Warriors and also missed the loss on Saturday in Sacramento. He is listed questionable with right abductor soreness tonight.
The injuries -including Kyrie Irving, who has yet to debut this season- has led to more consistent play from No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, who is averaging 24.5 points, six rebounds, and 5.1 assists over his last 10 games. He had 21 points and eight rebounds in the first meeting against Portland.
Mavericks vs Trail Blazers Prediction, Betting Analysis
Missing Holiday and Grant among others, Portland's offense has been concentrated with Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe doing much of the scoring.
Last night, Clingan stepped up with his double-double and almost smashed his points and rebounds line in the process. He has recorded at least 22 PR in five of his last six games, going over 23.5 in four of them.
In the last meeting against Dallas, Clingan had 16 points and 11 rebounds. That was a game that did not include Davis and now he may be out again, leaving a massive hole in Dallas' frontline.
Against centers, it is last in the league in points allowed and 26th in rebounds allowed per game. If Clingan records his third consecutive double-double against Dallas, he likely will go over 24.5 PR in the process.
Avdija has scored 24 points in seven of his last 10 games. In each of those games, he has also reached 30 points and assists, as he is averaging eight assists over his last 10 games. Avdija had 29 points and seven assists in the last game against Dallas.
Flagg also went over 20 points in that game. His points line keeps going up with his strong play of late. However, he has reached 20 points in seven of his last eight games and should see heavy volume regardless of Davis's status.
Pick: Donovan Clingan Over 24.5 Points + Rebounds (-110)
Mavericks vs Trail Blazers Parlay Picks
- Deni Avdija 30+ Points + Assists
- Donovan Clingan 25+ Points + Rebounds
- Cooper Flagg 20+ Points
Parlay Odds: +238 via DraftKings
