NBA Betting Odds and Predictions: Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah Jazz

Dallas Mavericks at Utah Jazz
Monday, 1/7/13, 9:00 PM EST, TV: FSSW
Opening Point Spread: Utah -6
Current Betting Line: Utah -5
Opening Total: 199.5
Current Total: 198
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Dallas Mavericks will have star forward Dirk Nowitzki in the starting lineup for the second time Monday night

Dallas will look to snap a two-game losing streak, which includes a 99-96 overtime setback to the New Orleans Hornets as six-point home favorites Saturday, while going OVER the total for a third consecutive time. “It feels like rock bottom,” stated Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle. The Mavericks could start turning things around of star forward Dirk Nowitzki continues to progress after returning from knee surgery, as he scored 20 points in 34 minutes last time out. Dallas is 9-9 ATS on the road this season, with the OVER going 11-8 in that situation.

The Mavericks have lost the last two meetings in this series, including a 113-94 defeat as 8.5-point road underdogs on Oct. 31, while the last five meetings in the series have gone OVER the total. Nowitzki dropped 40 points in the final two games against Utah a year ago, averaging 30.7 points and 6.7 rebounds in three starts in the series during the 2011-12 campaign. With Nowitzki getting the start versus the Hornets, the team has now used 15 different lineups to open up a game.

Utah had its two-game win streak snapped last time out, suffering a 110-91 defeat to the Denver Nuggets as 10-point road underdogs, while going UNDER the total for a third straight time. The Jazz can definitely bounce back in this spot due to their 10-4 overall record at EnergySolutions Arena, while they’ve averaged 101.6 points per game in Salt Lake City. Center Al Jefferson is leading the team on the offensive end, scoring 16.8 points per game, which includes 15 double-doubles in 35 affairs. Utah is 2-1 ATS as home favorites of 3.5 to 6 points, with the UNDER going 2-1 in those contests.

The Jazz are worth a look on the pro basketball odds page, as they’ve gone 88-61 all-time against the Mavericks, including a 57-18 mark at home. Jefferson was able to knock down just 4 of 13 shots last time out, but he’s averaged 19.9 points at home compared to 14.9 on the road.