The home team has won each of the first three meetings between the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans in 2022-23. Read on for our Mavericks-Pelicans NBA picks based on the best NBA odds.
Neither the Mavericks nor the Pelicans have been playing well lately. The Mavs are just 3-6 over their last nine games, while the Pelicans are 2-7 during the same period. Both teams have tumbled in the Western Conference standings and desperately need a win on Wednesday.
Two of the first three meetings between these teams have resulted in a single-digit margin of victory. The Pelicans' lone win, which came all the way back on Oct. 25, was just a two-point triumph. This is the Mavericks' first away game since before the All-Star break.
Here is our best Mavericks vs. Pelicans NBA pick (odds via Caesars Sportsbook; Pick confidence is based on a 1 -to-5-star scale).
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Mavericks vs. Pelicans pick
The Mavericks haven't been a very convincing team since the All-Star break, despite playing all of their games at home. Luka Doncic is still one of the favorites for NBA MVP, but he hasn't been able to lead his team to a solid record. The Mavs are in danger of playing in the play-in tournament or missing the playoffs altogether.
The good news for the Mavs is that they get to play the Pelicans Wednesday, one of the few teams experiencing a worse three weeks than them. The Pelicans have been struggling without Zion Williamson, and based on recent performances, it doesn't seem like those issues will end anytime soon.
New Orleans has scored 110 or fewer points in eight of the club's last nine games, leading to eight losse s. The Pelicans are in for a rough night against Dallas if their scoring woes continue. The Mavs have scored at least 120 points in four consecutive matchups and five of their last six.
Both teams are very middling defensively, each allowing around 113 points per game this season. That's why I'm giving the edge to the team with more offensive promise. The Mavs could run into some trouble during their first road game in a while, but they should be able to cover this small spread against a freefalling team.
Mavericks vs. Pelicans best odds
| DraftKings | FanDuel | BetMGM | Caesars | PointsBet |
| Mavericks -1.5 | Mavericks -1.5 | Mavericks -1.5 | Mavericks -1.5 | Mavericks -1.5 |
| -110 | -110 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
All of our top-rated sportsbooks are offering this spread at the exact same number and price, making it hard to find any real value.
I recommend Caesars for now because it's featuring the most props.
Mavericks vs. Pelicans odds
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Mavericks vs. Pelicans odds analysis
The Mavericks opened as 2.5-point favorites, but the spread has since dropped to 1.5 at each of the five major sportsbooks. That's occurred despite 73% of bets backing the Mavs against the spread. Perhaps oddsmakers are trying to bait bettors, but this feels more like the books are waiting. The Mavericks should be favored by more than a bucket before tipoff.
The total opened at 233.5, and it' s remained there at each of the major sportsbooks aside from FanDuel, which dropped it to 233. Currently, 78% of the wagers are on the Over, despite the Pelicans' offensive struggles recently. While we don't expect oddsmakers to continue ignoring the public's wagers with the spread, they could do that with the total.
Mavericks vs. Pelicans game info
- Date: Wednesday, March 8, 7:30 .m.
- TV: ESPN
- Location: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Mavericks-Pelicans pick made 3/8/2023 at 8:20 a.m. ET.
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