The Spurs are on the road to face the Dallas Mavericks, with both team’s playing their first-game of the season. Tip-off for this season-opener, is set for 7:30 at American Airlines Center.

Spurs vs Mavericks

The Spurs Are Looking To Start Their Season With A Win

The Spurs finished last season with a 22-60 record, placing 14th in the Western Conference. They were 3-13 in divisional games, finishing 5th in the Southwest. Heading into this season, we have San Antonio ranked 29th in our power rankings, with a 0.9% chance of making the playoffs.

Against the spread, the Spurs matched their overall record at 22-60. As underdogs in 73 games, they went 15-58 straight-up. At home, they had a scoring margin of -4.1 points per game and a 12-29 record, while on the road, they were 10-31 with a -8.8 margin. Their average over/under line was 231.7 points, and they had a 41-40-1 O/U record, with their games averaging 230.7 points per contest.

The Mavericks Are Looking To Start Their Season With A Win

Dallas enters the season ranked 1st in our power rankings, with a 96.3% chance of making the playoffs and a 72.9% chance of winning their division. Last season, the Mavericks went 50-32, finishing 5th in the Western Conference. They posted a 31-21 record in conference play and an 11-5 mark in divisional games, placing 1st in the Southwest Division.

Against the spread, Dallas went 45-37, including a 33-18 record as the favorite. They were favored in 51 games, finishing 38-13 straight-up. At home, they had a +3.6 scoring margin and a 21-20 ATS record, while on the road, they went 24-17 ATS.

Spurs Offense Breakdown

San Antonio enters the season ranked 29th in our offensive power rankings after finishing last year 23rd in points per game (112.1). The Spurs were 2nd in possessions per game (101.3) and 7th in field goal attempts per game (90.7), but they struggled with efficiency, ranking 25th in field goal percentage (46.2%) and 27th in three-point percentage (34.7%). They were 16th in three-pointers made per game (12.6) and 11th in attempts (36.4). San Antonio also ranked 28th in free throw attempts per game (20.0) and 18th in offensive rebounds per game (10.4).

Victor Wembanyama is projected to lead the Spurs in scoring, ranking 17th in our league-wide projections. He is also projected to be 2nd on the team in three-pointers made. Devin Vassell is projected to lead the team in that category, but he is currently out. Harrison Barnes, acquired from the Kings, is projected to be 4th on the team in scoring, with Keldon Johnson 3rd and Stephon Castle 5th.

Mavericks Offense Breakdown

Dallas enters the season ranked 2nd in our offensive power rankings after finishing 7th in points per game (117.9) last year. They were 8th in possessions per game (99.6) and 12th in field goal attempts per game (89.7), with an 11th-ranked 48.1% shooting percentage. The Mavericks were 2nd in three-point attempts per game (39.5), making 14.6 per game (3rd) at a 36.9% clip (13th). They also ranked 11th in free throw attempts per game (22.5) but were 27th in free throw percentage (75.8%).

Luka Doncic, who averaged 33.9 points, 9.8 assists, and 9.2 rebounds last season, is projected to be 2nd in points per game and 3rd in three-pointers made this season. Kyrie Irving, who averaged 25.6 points per game last year, is projected to be 21st in points per game. New addition Klay Thompson is projected to lead the team in three-pointers made, ranking 2nd in the league.

Spurs Team Defense

San Antonio enters the season ranked 24th in our defensive power rankings, after allowing 118.6 points per game last year, which was 24th in the NBA. They held opponents to 48.8% shooting from the field, ranking 22nd, and allowed 37.1% from beyond the arc. Inside, they gave up 55.5% shooting, placing them 20th in two-point defense.

Victor Wembanyama is expected to make a significant impact in rebounding and shot-blocking, after the Spurs ranked 3rd in blocks and 8th in defensive rebounding last season. San Antonio also averaged 7.1 steals per game, ranking 22nd in the league.

Mavericks Team Defense

After finishing 24th in points allowed last season, the Spurs are ranked 24th in our defensive power rankings heading into this year. They allowed opponents to shoot 48.8% from the field, ranking 22nd in the NBA, and gave up 37.1% shooting from beyond the arc. Inside the paint, they allowed 55.5% shooting, placing them 20th in two-point defense.

San Antonio ranked 3rd in blocked shots last season, and with Victor Wembanyama projected as the NBA’s top shot-blocker, they should remain strong in that area. They were 8th in defensive rebounding, and Wembanyama is also expected to lead the team in rebounding. However, Devin Vassell, one of their better rebounding guards, is currently out.

Spurs vs Mavericks Trends

• When looking at their past three road matchups, San Antonio has an ATS record of 2-1 while averaging 100 per game. The team went 2-1 overall in these games.
• Across the Mavericks last three home games, the team averaged 91 points per game while allowing 106. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 0-2-1, while going 0-3 straight-up.
• The last three games that San Antonio was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 1-2 while going 1-2 straight up.
• Spanning across their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Mavericks have gone 5-5 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 6-4.

Spurs vs Mavericks Prediction

The Spurs come in as the underdog at +7.5, making them our top choice on the point spread. We not only expect them to cover the spread but also believe they have a strong chance of winning the game outright, especially if you’re aiming for a higher moneyline payout.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 229.5 and given that our model is projecting 309 points between the teams, we like the over.

All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.