Spurs minus 6 1/2 at Mavericks
Obviously there’s a huge class difference here. San Antonio is 16-2 since Christmas with its lone losses during this span coming to Golden State and Cleveland. The Warriors and Cavaliers are the only foes to reach triple digits in San Antonio’s last 14 games.
San Antonio has covered 73 percent of its last 26 Western Conference matchups and is 18-8 ATS during its last 26 games overall.
The Spurs hosted Dallas and beat the Mavericks, 112-83, on Jan. 17. That was the Mavericks’ worst loss of the season. Dallas last beat the Spurs during the regular season in 2010. The Mavericks have a losing record in their last 20 games, including going 2-9 versus above .500 opponents. The Mavericks just lost 112-97 on the road to Atlanta on Monday and fell 93-90 at home to Miami on Wednesday.
So not only are the Spurs easily able to cover this spread based on merit, but the Mavericks may decide to punt the game. That’s because Dallas plays at Memphis on Saturday. The Grizzlies are the team that figures to be the Mavericks’ prime competitor for the No. 5 playoff seed in the West.
Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle has taken to resting his veteran starters when consecutive games have fallen on the schedule. Deron Williams missed Dallas’ last game with a hip injury. Backup point guard Devin Harris is likely to sit out his seventh consecutive game with a toe injury. Williams said he should be able to play tonight. But Carlisle might hold out Williams another game, along with Dirk Nowitzki, if he decides to concede this tough matchup in order to enhance an all-out effort tomorrow versus the Grizzlies.
The Spurs also play on Saturday, but their matchup is against the lowly Lakers.
