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

Ranked 29th in our preseason power rankings, the Spurs have just a 0.9% chance of making the playoffs. Last season, they finished 22-60, placing 14th in the Western Conference. They went 3-13 in division play, finishing 5th in the Southwest Division. At home, they were 12-29, with a -4.1 points per game scoring margin, and on the road, they posted a 10-31 record with a -8.8 margin.

Against the spread, the Spurs matched their straight-up record at 22-60 and were 7-2 when favored. They were favored in 9 games and went 15-58 as the underdog. 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 96.6% chance of making the playoffs and a 72.2% chance of winning the Southwest Division. Last season, the Mavericks finished 50-32, placing 5th in the Western Conference. They went 25-16 at home and on the road, with a +3.6 scoring margin at home and +0.8 on the road. In division play, they were 11-5, finishing 1st in the Southwest.

Against the spread, Dallas posted a 45-37 record, going 21-20 at home and 24-17 on the road. They were favored in 51 games, finishing 38-13 straight-up and 33-18 ATS. The average over/under line for their games was 234.8 points, with an average of 233.5 points per game. Their O/U record was 37-45.

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 played at a fast pace, ranking 2nd in possessions per game (101.3) and 7th in field goal attempts per game (90.7), but they struggled with efficiency, finishing 25th in field goal percentage (46.2%) and 27th in three-point percentage (34.7%). They were 16th in made threes per game (12.6) and 11th in attempts (36.4), while ranking 28th in free throw attempts per game (20.0) and 14th in free throw percentage (78.2%).

Victor Wembanyama, who averaged 21.4 points and 10.6 rebounds last season, is projected to lead the team in scoring and rank 17th in the league. Devin Vassell, who averaged 19.5 points last year, is out for the season opener but is projected to lead the team in made threes. 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

Ranked 2nd in our preseason offensive power rankings, the Mavericks were 7th in points per game last season, averaging 117.9. They were 8th in possessions per game (99.6) and 12th in field goal attempts per game (89.7), shooting 48.1% from the field (11th). Dallas ranked 3rd in three-pointers made per game (14.6) and 2nd in attempts (39.5), hitting 36.9% from beyond the arc (13th). They were 11th in free throw attempts per game (22.5) but 27th in free throw percentage (75.8%).

Luka Doncic is projected to lead the team in scoring, ranking 2nd among point guards and 2nd in our overall projections. Kyrie Irving is projected 2nd on the team and 21st overall, while Klay Thompson, a key offseason addition, is projected 3rd on the team and 52nd overall. Thompson is projected to lead the team in three-pointers made, ranking 2nd in the league in that category.

Spurs Team Defense

San Antonio comes into 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 allowed opponents to shoot 48.8% from the field, ranking 22nd, and gave up 37.1% shooting from beyond the arc. Inside, they allowed 55.5% shooting, placing them 20th in two-point defense.

One of the Spurs’ strengths last year was shot-blocking, as they ranked 3rd in the NBA, and they were 8th in defensive rebounding. Victor Wembanyama is projected to be one of the league’s top rebounders and shot-blockers, while Devin Vassell, one of their better rebounding guards, is currently out.

Mavericks Team Defense

Coming off a season in which they allowed 118.6 points per game, the Spurs are ranked 24th in our defensive power rankings. Opponents shot 48.8% from the field against them last year, including 37.1% from three-point range.

San Antonio finished 3rd in the NBA in blocked shots, and they ranked 8th in defensive rebounding. Victor Wembanyama is projected to be one of the league’s top shot-blockers and rebounders. However, Devin Vassell, one of their better rebounding guards, is currently out.

Spurs vs Mavericks Trends

• Across the Spurs last ten road games, the team averaged 109 points per game while allowing 114. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 7-3, while going 4-6 straight-up.
• Although Dallas has a straight up record of 6-4 in their last ten home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 6-3-1. The team averaged 105 points per game in these games.
• Going back to their last ten games as the underdog, the Spurs have a straight up record of 5-5. But, their mark vs the spread was just 7-3.
• Going back to their previous ten games as the favorite, Dallas has an ATS mark of 5-5 while going 6-4 straight up.

Spurs vs Mavericks Prediction

Coming in as the underdogs at +7.5, we have the Spurs as the way to go on the point spread. Not only do we have them covering, but our projections show they have a good one of winning this one straight-up, if you’re looking for a higher payout on the moneyline.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 230.5, and our model projects the Spurs and Mavericks to reach a combined total of 309 points. Our bet is on taking 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.