The Philadelphia 76ers (17-14) and Dallas Mavericks (12-22) will face off in the NBA on New Year's Day. Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The game will broadcast live on NBA TV.
The Sixers are 2.5-point favorites over the Mavericks on the spread (76ers -2.5), with the over/under set at 230.5 total points. Philadelphia is a -135 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Dallas is +114 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my 76ers vs. Mavericks predictions and NBA picks for Thursday, January 1.
76ers vs Mavericks Prediction, Picks
- 76ers vs Mavericks pick: Joel Embiid Over 25.5 Points (-116)
My Mavericks vs 76ers best bet is on Joel Embiid over 25.5 points, with the best price currently available at DraftKings. However, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
76ers vs Mavericks Odds
| 76ers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -108 | 230.5 -110o / -110u | -135 |
| Mavericks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -112 | 230.5 -110o / -110u | +114 |
76ers vs Mavericks NBA Preview
In the first returns in fan voting for the NBA All-Star Game, Tyrese Maxey had the second-most votes in the Eastern Conference.
The 76ers guard earned his All-Star appearance in 2024 and is averaging 30.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game this season. Tonight, he returns to his hometown as Philly takes on the Mavericks.
Maxey may be emerging as the 76ers' franchise player, but that does not mean Joel Embiid should be forgotten.
Embiid is averaging 22.8 points in 27.8 minutes per game this season. However, he has looked more like the former MVP of late. He is coming off a 34-point game on Tuesday night as the Sixers hung on to beat Memphis 139-136 in overtime.
Maxey had 34 points as well to go along with 12 assists, but it was rookie VJ Edgecombe who sealed the deal with a 25-footer with 1.7 seconds remaining.
Edgecombe had 25 points and six rebounds on the night as the team snapped a three-game losing streak. It was also the 76ers' first win this season with Embiid, Maxey, Edgecombe, and Paul George on the floor.
Meanwhile, Dallas returns home from a three-game road trip and will be excited to get some home cooking. The Mavericks have lost each of their last five road games and are just 3-12 on the road this season. They will be looking to avenge a 121-114 loss in Philadelphia just 11 days ago.
Anthony Davis had 24 points and 15 rebounds in that game and is off the injury report after missing the team's last two games. Injuries have limited both Embiid and Davis at times throughout their career, but we will get to see them battle tonight.
Davis leads the team with 20.5 points and 10.9 rebounds per game this season.
Just behind him is rookie Cooper Flagg at 19.4 points per game. He will be looking to bounce back from a rough game in Portland, where he shot just 6-for-20 from the field.
76ers vs Mavericks Prediction, Betting Analysis
Embiid has scored 30 points in three of his last five games while averaging 30.6 points per game in that stretch. He has also played 30 minutes in each of those games and is probable for tonight's game.
From 2019-2024, Embiid averaged 29.5 points per game and at least 27.5 in five of those six seasons. However, tonight we are still getting a discount on his points line at 25.5, but that will likely creep closer to 30 as he remains on the floor.
Head coach Nick Nurse noted that he can tell how healthy Embiid is when he is driving to the basket. He is averaging 10.2 free throw attempts per game, which matches his career average.
Embiid also scored 29 points in his lone game against Dallas last season, and he is averaging 25.3 points in eight career games against Davis.
Meanwhile, Maxey has scored over 30 points (33 and 38) in each of his last two games against the Mavericks. He also had 13 assists in one of those games and has four games with eight assists in his last seven games. He has recorded 35 PA or more in each of the last 10 games he has played with Embiid.
Despite the tough outing in Portland, Flagg has scored 20 points in seven of his last 10 games. In December, he is averaging 23.5 points per game while shooting 51.6% on 17.2 field goal attempts per game. That volume should help get to 20 points once again.
Davis is averaging 21.2 points and 11.8 rebounds in December. He has recorded 30+ PR in seven of the last nine games that he has finished. He also has had 42, 40, and 39 PRs in the last three games he has finished against Philadelphia.
Pick: Joel Embiid Over 25.5 Points (-116, DraftKings)
76ers vs Mavericks Parlay Picks
- Tyrese Maxey 35+ Points + Assists
- Joel Embiid 30+ Points
- Anthony Davis 30+ Points + Rebounds
- Cooper Flagg 20+ Points
Parlay Odds: +800 via DraftKings
