In this Mavericks at Kings prediction, the two teams square off in the Western Conference playoffs play-in round at the Golden One Center in Sacramento on Wednesday night. The 10th-seeded Mavericks (39-43) return to the playoffs after reaching the NBA Finals last season. Sacramento has won all three games this season straight up and is 2-0-1 ATS against the Mavs. The 9th-seeded Kings (40-42) have a home-court advantage in this elimination game. Read on for more in this Mavericks vs. Kings prediction and get our top NBA predictions to increase your bankroll!
Dallas back in playoffs
Last year, at this time, the Dallas Mavericks were set to steamroll through the Western Conference playoffs on their way to an NBA Finals appearance. This season, after trading away franchise legend Luka Doncic and losing his backcourt mate, Kyrie Irving, for the season, the Mavs limp into the playoffs, hoping to stave off elimination in the play-in round. The Mavs finished the season at 39-43, losing six of their last ten games. They'll be led in this game by center Anthony Davis. Davis averaged nearly 25 points per game and over 11 rebounds per contest. He was the central piece in the deal that sent Doncic to the Lakers. Davis recently returned from an abductor injury and has only appeared in nine games for the Mavs. PJ Washington averaged nearly 15 points per game and almost eight rebounds per contest. Veteran Klay Thompson chipped in with 14 points per game and led the team in 3-point shooting.
The Mavericks were 0-3 against the Kings this season, including a blowout loss in March. They finished 15th in the NBA in points per game. They were 10th in field goal shooting and 15th in 3-point shooting. The Mavs finished just 25th in 3-point field goals made per game. Defensively, the Mavs finished 20th in points allowed per game. They were 18th in both field goal defense and 3-point defense. The Mavs were 19th in scoring margin in the NBA, 9th in turnover margin, and 25th in rebounding.
Key Injuries: G Kyrie Irving (ACL) is out.
Kings ready for playoffs
The Kings, like the Mavericks, parted ways with a long-time superstar when they traded All-Star guard De'Aaron Fox in a three-team deal that ultimately netted the team former Bulls guard Zach LaVine. LaVine averaged 22.4 points per game this season, just slightly ahead of teammate DeMar DeRozan. Domantas Sabonis leads the team in rebounding and assists and is third in scoring. The Kings finished the season going 5-5 down the stretch.
The Kings finished just one game ahead of the Mavericks with a record of 40-42 on the season. They dominated the season series, winning all three games against the Mavs. The Kings finished 10th in the NBA in points per game this season. They were 12th in field goal shooting and 19th in 3-point shooting. The Kings finished just 26th in 3-point field goals made per game. On the defensive end, the Kings were 19th in points allowed per game. They finished 22nd in field goal defense and last in 3-point defense. The Kings were 16th in scoring margin in the NBA, 19th in turnover margin, and 7th in rebounding.
Key Injuries: F Jake LaRavia (thumb) and SG Malik Monk are out.
Best Bets for Dallas Mavericks vs. Sacramento Kings
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
The loss of Monk is a significant one for the Kings, but they still should have more than enough firepower to take down a banged-up Mavericks team. The Mavs have several players who will be working through injuries in this elimination matchup. During the regular season, the Kings dominated this head-to-head matchup, including a 24-point win in March. Sabonis will force Davis away from the basket and set up the Kings' primary scorers, LaVine and DeRozan, on the offensive end, while the Kings can control the glass on the defensive end and limit second-chance opportunities for the Mavs. The Mavs will be done without enough scoring power and a real inability to control the glass in this game.
Take the Kings -4.5
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
The teams went over the number in two of the three meetings this season, including each of the final two games. The Kings finished 10th in the NBA in scoring, and the Mavericks finished 10th in field goal shooting. Defensively, both teams struggled and finished with below-average defensive scoring numbers. While neither team flourishes from beyond the arc, both defenses are well below average in defending the three-point shot. That will be enough to push this game past the number for the third time in four games.
Take the over.
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