7:40 pm
November 2

Heat @ Mavericks

Who will WIN this matchup?

Miami Heat (5-1)

@ Dallas Mavericks (4-2)

 

Current odds:

Miami Heat: (-140)

Dallas Mavericks: (+120)

 

• The spread for the game is Miami by 2.5 points.

• Dallas Mavericks 7-foot-3 power forward Kristaps Porzingis — nicknamed the “Unicorn” — has been more like a ghost of late after missing the past three games due to back tightness. Even so, the Mavs are off to a solid start, especially at home, where they are 3-0, and that has a lot to do with their superstar, Luka Doncic. The 22-year-old point forward leads Dallas in scoring (22.5), rebounds (8.5) and assists (7.5).

• Miami has its own injury issue as center and Olympic gold medalist Bam Adebayo missed the Heat’s win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday due to a bruised left knee. Still, the Heat have five wins in their first six games, looking like perhaps the best team in the Eastern Conference. Heat reserve guard Tyler Herro is second on the team in scoring (22.0), and Adebayo is third (20.6). Adebayo also leads in rebounds (14.0), Kyle Lowry is first in assists (7.2), and Butler tops the Heat in steals (2.8).

• In addition, Heat shooting guard Duncan Robinson might have regained his confidence with a 5-for-10 performance on 3-pointers against Memphis. Before that, he was shooting just under 28 percent on 3-pointers this season.

• One thing to watch for on Tuesday is a potential slow Dallas start. The Mavs have been outscored by 22 points in the first quarter this season. Another issue for the Mavs is rebounding, and it also appears that back injuries are multiplying, and here’s why: The Mavs defeated the Sacramento Kings 105-99 on Sunday but got outrebounded 56-45.

4/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Miami Heat
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