The trade between the Dallas Mavericks and the Washington Wizards seems to have paid off for both teams. The Mavericks got 36 points out Spencer Dinwiddie, who started in place of injured Luka Doncic on Saturday, in a 114-113 comeback win over Sacramento. Dinwiddie also had a huge fourth quarter in the Mavericks’ comeback win over Golden State on Thursday. Kristaps Porzingis, who headed north in the trade, made his debut for the Wizards on Sunday, and he put up 25 points in a 133-123 win over Indiana. If this trade turns into a reawakening for both talented players, the trade will be a real win-win. Let’s look at some NBA Odds for the first part of this coming week.
NBA News: Top Betting Picks for the Week
Tuesday, March 8
New Orleans Pelicans at Memphis Grizzlies (7:30 pm ET, TNT)
Bringing in C.J. McCollum from Portland has brought tremendous growth in New Orleans. The Pelicans had won four in a row and almost made it five on Sunday, coming back from an early 21-point deficit to take command of their game in Denver. However, the Nuggets had a 40-point fourth quarter to force overtime, as Nikola Jokic put up 30 of his 46 points in the fourth period and the extra frame. Brandon Ingram had 38 points for the Pelicans, who scored the first six points of overtime, but then the Nuggets closed out with a 12-0 run. Give the Pelicans credit, though, as they were down 34-13 with 1:27 left in the first quarter, and they were up, 94-84, after the third quarter.
Next up is a trip to another tough arena in Memphis. The Grizzlies have actually sputtered a bit, losing two of three, including a disappointing 123-112 loss in Houston on Sunday. The Rockets ended a 12-game losing streak despite 28 points from Desmond Bane and 22 points from Ja Morant. Steven Adams set a season high with 23 points and added a dozen rebounds, but it was not enough. The Grizzlies got within one with 5:30 left in regulation, but then the Rockets went on a 10-1 run. The Grizzlies were down on the back night of a back-to-back, and it showed. However, they should be ready for a resilient Pelicans team.
Final Score Prediction: Memphis 118, New Orleans 112
L.A. Clippers at Golden State Warriors (10:00 pm ET, TNT)
The Clippers were riding an impressive five-game winning streak that included a pair of wins over the Lakers, but then they laid down for a Knicks team that arrived in Los Angeles on a seven-game losing streak…losing, 116-93. It was Amir Coffey, coming off the bench, who led the Clippers with 16 points, and while L.A. closed the third quarter on a 20-6 run to get within a dozen, Reggie Jackson missed a one-handed dunk that was a perfect metaphor for how far off the Clippers were on the night.
Things don’t get any easier with a trip up the coast to take on the Warriors. The one-time West contenders have lost four in a row and six of seven, with a 37-point win at Portland the only victory. The losses have come against the Clippers, the Nuggets, the Mavericks (twice), the Lakers and the Timberwolves, and the first loss to Dallas saw the Warriors blow a 19-point lead. Their last game was a 124-116 loss to the Lakers in L.A. in which LeBron James put up 56 points. The Warrior defense had nothing to offer the Lakers after the midpoint of the second quarter; the Warriors had built a double-digit lead, but the Lakers started to come back thanks to James – along with Austin Reaves and Malik Monk. The Warriors still led by five going into the fourth, but then LeBron knocked down three straight three-balls, and a late three from Carmelo Anthony sealed the win. Can the Warriors get out of their own heads with the Clippers coming to town? I’m not sure that they can.
Final Score Prediction: Clippers 116, Warriors 114
NBA Betting Odds
Love betting NBA basketball? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date NBA lines
