Dallas Mavericks at Miami Heat Pick

The Dallas Mavericks (29-45) will lock horns with the Miami Heat (36-38) at the American Airlines Arena for a Western vs. Eastern conference clash. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM and will be televised on FSN. The Heat presently owns a three-game winning streak against Dallas. Most recently, the two teams met in the Metroplex in February where the Heat pulled a 112-103 upset of Dallas as a three-point underdog.

Dallas Heat at Miami Heat Overview

Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks come into this contest off their sixth loss in their past seven matches. Over this span, the Mavericks produced an equally ugly 1-6 ATS record. Most recently, Dallas was defeated last night in Dallas when they were beaten by a score of 106-98 failing to cover as a 2.5-point underdog. Dallas’ one win over this span was an impressive one when they shocked the San Antonio Spurs on their own floor by a score of 103-95 when they closed as a 9.5-point underdog.

Miami Heat

Overall, the Heat also come into this contest in recently poor form. The Heat have won just one game in their last four matches. The Heat are back at home after finishing a four-game road trip that concluded on Monday with a 107-99 loss in Boston. Though the Heat came up with a loss, they achieved their second straight cover as they closed an 8.5-point underdog in Beantown.

Reasons To Avoid Dallas

What else can we say that the track record of Dallas on the road this season has been utterly appalling. The Mavericks have won just seven games away from home this season (7-30 SU in road games). Moreover, motivation levels will not be at a maximum for the Mav’s as they may be more inclined to tank for a better lottery position compared to Miami who is presently jocking for playoff position. Despite all of this, 60% of the public like the Mavericks here as a dog which suggests that the favorite Heat may actually be undervalued.

Reasons To Back Miami

Miami’s third-ranked scoring defense (105.9 points per game) should be able to feast today on Dallas’ 21st-ranked scoring offense (108.6 points per contest) which sets up the Heat to dictate the ebb and flow of this contest. Moreover, Dallas sits 25th in field goal percentage (44.8%) which is another favorable scenario for Miami’s defense to take advantage of as they sit second in the NBA in opponent field-goal percentage (44%).