NBA Predictions: Are Blazers Laying Too Many Points vs. Mavericks? 4/3/18

Trail Blazers vs. Mavericks Prediction

Are the Portland Trail Blazers laying too many points to the home dog Dallas Mavericks tonight at 8:30 p.m. ET?

Game Snapshot

(717) Portland Trail Blazers at (718) Dallas Mavericks

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Tip-Off: 8:30 p.m. ET

CURRENT ODDS

According to oddsmakers from online sportsbook YouWager, the Trail Blazers are 8.5-point road favorites to beat the host Mavericks, while the over/under currently sits at 208 points.

Bet This Matchup & Other NBA Games

LINE MOVEMENT

Portland opened as 9-point road favorites but the line has moved to 8.5 at the majority of online sportsbooks. As for the total, it opened at 207 and was bet up to 208 at most books.

PUBLIC BETTING

As of this writing, 71% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Trail Blazers to cover the point spread tonight. Meanwhile, 66% of the betting tickets are on the under.

KEY INJURY TO WATCH

Dirk Nowitzki (ankle) is questionable to play for the Mavericks tonight while Wesley Matthews (leg) and Maurice Harkless (knee) are the other starters listed as out for both teams.

BETTING STRATEGY

Bet against Portland at your own risk. Since February 1, the Blazers are 12-3-2 at the betting window when facing Western Conference opponents. Granted, they "only" covered the spread by four points per game during that span, so tonight's line exceeds that trend. Still, the Blazers are the most-profitable team in the league against the Western Conference since that date. They can also clinch home court in the first round with a win tonight and a Utah loss to the Lakers. Thus, the Mavs will see Damian Lillard and Co. best tonight.

The Blazers are 4-1 against the spread in their last five road games, are 17-4-1 against the number in their last 22 Western Conference matchup sand have cashed in eight of their last nine games playing on one day of rest.

 

OUR PREDICTION: PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS -8.5