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The Dallas Mavericks will host the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night / Saturday morning in a clash which both teams will be desperate to win, having not started the season the way they wanted to.
Dallas (1-8, 1-4 home) currently own the worst record in the NBA, which is very disappointing considering the fact that the talent they own isn`t all that bad. Sure, the Mavs are rebuilding and won`t reach the playoffs this year, but they are a decent team which doesn`t belong at the bottom of the standings. Nevertheless, you can understand the 1-8 record if you take into account that Dallas struggled with injuries in the first few games, and once they got healthier they faced exclusively strong, playoff teams. Last time out they lost by 21 in LA to the Clippers.
New Orleans (3-5, 2-2 away) also had a disappointing start. The Pelicans were hoping to be in playoff contention this season and that is still very much possible, but it`s beginning to look more and more like the experiment of pairing Cousins with Davis will not work out. The Pelicans have lost their last two matches, including an ugly 16 point home defeat to the Magic.
Bet on Mavericks vs Pelicans and claim your 100% (100 Eur) bonus at Ohmbet now!Team news: The Mavs continue to miss Seth Curry and Josh McRoberts, while Finley-Smith is doubtful, but Curry is the only notable absentee left. The Pelicans themselves have to deal with long term injuries, missing Rondo, Hill, Asik, Jackson and Ajinca.
Dallas made it public at the beginning of the season that the focus is a good start, having the experience of last year when they began 2-13 and missed the playoffs because of it. However, it has gone completely wrong and they are now 1-8 after 9 games. Another loss, and they will be on track to repeat last year’s horrific start.
However, Dallas will feel this is a game they can win. Coincidentally, they ended that 2-13 run last year with a home win against the Pelicans.
The Mavs are healthier, they are due a good performance and coming back at home will help. Dallas wasn`t so bad on home court despite the overall poor start, and in their last two games at American Airlines Center they beat the Grizzlies and lost by 2 points against the Sixers – both strong teams, arguably better than New Orleans.
Facing New Orleans might also be a good matchup for Dallas, as they tend to do well against teams which rely on a strong front court presence. They met New Orleans twice since the Pelicans acquired Cousins last Winter, and did well, winning at home by 13 points and losing away by 3. Overall in four meetings last season, both teams won their 2 home games.
All in all, these Pelicans are far from impressive right now, they are dealing with injuries and could be in for a difficult night against a Dallas team which is desperate and getting healthier. My tip is Dallas to cover the 5 point (asian) handicap. Prediction: Dallas Mavericks – NO Pelicans 107 – 104.
Pick: Mavericks +5
Odds: 1.91 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 7.28
Event date: 4 November
