The NBA Finals wrapped up just over a month ago, but we’re already looking ahead to next season.
NBA win total lines are LIVE on DraftKings Sportsbook along with a bunch of other futures markets. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be breaking down my favorite over/under picks for a variety of teams around the association. In case you missed it, check out my last win total article for the New York Knicks.
Without further ado, let’s dive into my best bet for the Dallas Mavericks.
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Dallas Mavericks: UNDER 50.5 Regular Season Wins (-125)
I know, I know. Doubting the reigning Western Conference champs already?
Unfortunately, I’m not a big believer in the prospects of Dallas making it back to the NBA Finals anytime soon, at least with this current core. The Mavericks are a talented squad, but they benefited greatly from how the bracket broke in the West, avoiding Denver altogether and facing a tired, inexperienced Wolves squad in the WCF.
Luka Doncic is almost certainly the second-best player in the NBA at just 25 years old, but history tells us it’s hard to win at an elite level when your team features one primary playmaker with such a high usage rate.
Looking at the moves Nico Harrison has made this offseason, I’m a little perplexed. With all due respect to Klay Thompson’s illustrious resume, at this stage of his career I’m not sure he’s fit to be a third offensive option on a contender. Klay’s shot quality is… poor, to say the least, and the ball has stuck to his hands more than usual the last few years. His defensive capabilities have also sharply dipped, which isn’t really his fault, as we’re talking about a 34-year-old who has suffered multiple serious lower-body injuries.
I share similar thoughts about Spencer Dinwiddie, who put together one of the best seasons of his career in Dallas just a couple years ago, but clearly isn’t the same player anymore. Naji Marshall and Quentin Grimes were strong pickups, but losing Josh Green and Derrick Jones Jr. stings, as both guys were versatile defenders with offensive upside.
This pick isn’t all about the Mavs, either. The West is full of juggernauts.
Last year’s top-seeded Thunder drastically improved their roster. The Nuggets are always going to be incredibly tough. The Timberwolves, Pelicans and Kings decidedly got better. The Grizzlies will almost certainly bounce back in a major way, assuming health. I’m expecting a huge jump from the Rockets, and the Spurs could take a sooner-than-anticipated step forward in Year 2 for Wemby. Need I say more?
The Mavericks should still put together a solid 2024-25 campaign, but hitting 50 wins in that conference doesn’t seem likely.
That’s my favorite NBA futures bet for the Dallas Mavericks! Stay tuned for more picks over the coming weeks.
Place your NBA bets at DraftKings Sportsbook or by downloading the DraftKings Sportsbook app.
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All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
The contents contained in this article do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment.
