Dallas Mavs Top 3 Betting Picks vs. Denver Nuggets: Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Dante Exum
Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks hit the road to take on Nikola Jokic and the defending champion Denver Nuggets on Monday night.
The Mavs outlasted the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night, 131-120. Doncic led the way for Dallas, finishing with 40 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists on 15-of-28 shooting from the floor, passing Wilt Chamberlain with the fourth-most 40-point triple-doubles in NBA history.
The Nuggets are coming off a last-second loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, 118-117. Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit a fadeaway mid-range jumper with just over one second remaining to clinch the game for OKC to snap a three-game winning streak for Denver.
Notable Injuries
Mavericks: Richaun Holmes (illness) is questionable. Kyrie Irving (right heel contusion), Dereck Lively II (left ankle sprain), Josh Green (right elbow sprain), and Maxi Kleber (right small toe dislocation) are out.
Nuggets: Jamal Murray (ankle sprain) and Aaron Gordon (right heel strain) are probable. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (concussion protocol) is questionable.
Mavs' Tim Hardaway Jr. shoots a fadeaway jumper over Nuggets' Michael Porter Jr.
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Check out the the betting lines and player props below, courtesy of SI Sportsbook.
The Lines
Point Spread: Mavericks (+7.5) / Nuggets (-7.5)
Money Line: Mavericks (+235) / Nuggets (-333)
Over/Under: 237.5
Player Props / Our Picks
Luka Doncic O/U 34.5 Points: Over
On the season, Doncic is averaging a career-high 32.7 points per game but over the last eight games, has erupted to is average 37.0 points per night while shooting 49 percent from the field and 35 percent from 3-point range. Look for Doncic to keep his hot streak going.
Dante Exum O/U 17.5 Points + Assists: Over
Over the last five games in the starting lineup with Irving out, Exum has exploded for Dallas, averaging 17.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists on 68 percent shooting from the field and 65 percent from downtown. Take Exum to continue his production against the Nuggets.
Nikola Jokic O/U 40.5 Points + Rebounds: Over
This seems like a night-to-night over for Jokic but with Lively out of the lineup for Dallas, that opens up the paint and glass for the two-time MVP. Take the over.
Prediction: Despite being without Irving, the Mavs are playing some good basketball right now. But, with the loss of Lively in Monday night's starting lineup, that gives a significant edge to the defending champs. Take Dallas +7.5 to cover the spread but Denver to win.
