The Dallas Mavericks (23-45) and New Orleans Pelicans (22-46) will meet 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 Pelicans are 8.5-point favorites over the Mavericks on the spread (Pelicans -8.5), with the over/under set at 239 total points. New Orleans is a -350 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Dallas is +275 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into our Mavericks vs. Pelicans predictions and NBA picks for Monday, March 16.
Mavericks vs Pelicans Prediction, Pick
- Mavericks vs Pelicans pick: Cooper Flagg Over 19.5 Points (-135)
My Pelicans vs. Mavericks best bet is on Cooper Flagg to score over 19.5 points. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Mavericks vs Pelicans Odds
| Mavericks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+8.5 -110 | 239 -110o / -110u | +275 |
| Pelicans Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-8.5 -110 | 239 -110o / -110u | -350 |
Mavericks vs Pelicans NBA Preview
My pick for tonight's matchup between the Mavericks and Pelicans is Cooper Flagg to score over 19.5 points.
I like the spot for Flagg against the Pelicans — and this line being set at 19.5 is partly interesting because it isn't necessarily a number that he's been great against throughout the course of the season.
However, he's crushed this line in the last couple of games, scoring 25 and 27 in a pair of outings against the Cavaliers — and I also think that he is acutely aware that he's not the run-away favorite to win Rookie of the Year anymore.
This is a great opportunity for him to try to put up some monster numbers against the Pelicans.
The Pelicans are a team that's trying, at least to a certain degree, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are going to be successful in that effort.
They have given up some pretty big performances to similar players lately. Jaime Jaquez scored 23 points against New Orleans not too long ago.
The kind of players who like to get downhill and get to the rim tend to find success against New Orleans — and that's what Flagg is good at.
Mavericks vs Pelicans Predictions, Betting Analysis
I like Flagg to scored over 19.5 points in tonight's game.
This is a spot where we will likely see him to continue his push to try and reestablish himself as the clear Rookie of the Year frontrunner.
Flagg should get plenty of opportunities here as well, especially with the Mavericks dealing with a crowded injury report.
Pick: Cooper Flagg Over 19.5 Points (-135)
