Eight games are on the NBA schedule tonight, and two are as good as it gets. The high-powered Mavericks will take on the No. 1 rated defense in the league in the Timberwolves, and Ja Morant will look to lead the Grizzlies back into the playoff picture with their fifth consecutive win up against the reigning champs in Denver.
Before the tipoff of these high-profile matchups, we’re looking at the Mavericks vs. Timberwolves and Grizzlies vs. Nuggets odds, picks, and predictions to consider for the games.
Mavericks vs. Timberwolves odds: Minnesota is favored to bounce back after a blowout loss to OKC
Here are the odds for the game from the top sports betting sites.
Mavericks vs. Timberwolves props: Luka Doncic’s hot streak to continue
Luka Doncic OVER made 3-pointers
The last time the Mavs’ star faced the Timberwolves, he finished with 39 points on 2-for-7 shooting from deep. Since then, he has played in six games and has connected on at least four made threes in four contests.
He has also shot at least 10 three-point attempts in each game. The Timberwolves' defense is among the best due to their ability to protect the paint, thanks to having one of the biggest frontcourts in the league.
Their perimeter defense isn’t as stout. Given the resistance at the rim and tonight being the second leg of a back-to-back, Luka Doncic may be inclined to settle for deep looks to keep the Mavs competitive, as he is coming off a 37-minute outing last night.
Luka Doncic OVER assists
Doncic is second in the league in usage rate, and his production is out of this world. He is averaging 33.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 9.2 assists.
He has compiled at least 10 assists in nine of his 12 games in December. He hasn’t had back-to-back games with single-digit assists numbers this month, and he is coming off a six-assist performance last night against the Cavs.
On the road wrapping up a back-to-back, we like him to look for his teammates as his offense struggles a little due to fatigue. He has only played in three back-to-backs this season, and in two of those games, he finished shooting less than 40% from the field.
Mavericks vs. Timberwolves predictions: Minnesota’s defense is too much to overcome on a back-to-back
Minnesota’s defense has stifled the best offenses in the league this season. That was the case the last time the two matched up, as the Timberwolves held the Mavs to just 101 points, one of the season's lowest-scoring outputs.
Thanks to the two big men they have waiting in the paint, they are among the best at running teams off the three-point line. They own the third-best three-point defense in the league, holding opponents to just 33.7% shooting from beyond the arc.
The deep shot is the bread and butter of the Mavs offense, especially without Kyrie Irving, who has been out for a while now. The Mavs are second in three-point attempts per game, as their offense is predicated on spreading teams out and allowing Doncic to score or find his teammates.
The Timberwolves are designed to stop that style of offense, which should make it challenging for them to maintain their regular scoring pace.
On the second night of a back-to-back, the Timberwolves are set up well to protect home court in this one.
Prediction: Minnesota
Grizzlies vs. Nuggets odds: Denver favored to win sixth straight game
Here are the odds for the game from the top sports betting apps.
Grizzlies vs. Nuggets props: Morant, Jokic headline best bets
Ja Morant OVER points
The Grizzlies have their star back in the lineup, and he has performed as if he never left. In four games, he has averaged 28 points on 50% from the field, earning him Western Conference Player of the Week in his first week back.
Most of his points still come from the painted area, and the Nuggets don’t offer much resistance at the rim. They allow 50 points per game in the paint, which puts them in the bottom half of the league at defending that area of the court.
Additionally, Morant has been aggressive in his short stint since returning. As of now, he is averaging 22 attempts per game. If that holds throughout the rest of the season, it would be a career-high for him.
With fresh legs and a desire to overcome a losing record, it’s not wise to bet against him putting the ball in the hoop.
Nikola Jokic OVER assists
The Nuggets’ big man hasn’t registered a double-digit assist total in five games. That’s largely due to him looking for his shot more often. Tonight, he’ll be up against a Memphis defense that is No. 1 in the league at defending the paint.
However, that comes with consequences, which, for them, is allowing opponents to shoot 38.5% from deep, which is the fourth worst in the league.
Memphis will need to provide help to Jokic's defenders due to his size advantage over them to prevent him from dominating the game.
This will open up clean looks for Nikola Jokic’s sharp-shooting teammates in Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray. Look for him to go over on this line tonight.
Grizzlies vs. Nuggets predictions: Denver wins thanks to three-point battle, but Grizzlies cover
The three-pointer is often quoted as being the most efficient shot attempt in basketball, and the Nuggets have a significant advantage in that aspect of the game in this matchup. Denver is a top-10 three-point shooting team (37.7%).
They’ll face a Memphis team that is among the worst at defending the shot. Denver has won three of the last four contests between the two, and the long ball has been a part of that success.
With Biyombo now defending the paint for Memphis, their job of limiting Denver’s three-point barrage is even more challenging due to the size advantage Jokic has against down low. They’ll likely have to send additional help down low, which does them no favor in defending the long ball.
Prediction: Grizzlies
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