Mavericks vs. Pacers prediction and odds for Monday, March 27 (Bet on Indiana)
By Peter Dewey
Can the Indiana Pacers keep their Play-In Tournament hopes alive on Monday night?
Indiana is 3.5 games back of the Chicago Bulls for the No. 10 spot in the Eastern Conference, so every game from here on out is crucial if the team wants a shot at the playoffs.
Luckily, Monday’s matchup comes against a team that is having more struggles than just about anyone in the NBA.
The Dallas Mavericks have dropped four straight games, including two straight against the Charlotte Hornets after losing on Sunday afternoon. Luka Doncic, the team’s All-NBA guard, picked up his 16th technical foul of the season on Sunday, which means he is out for tonight’s game due to suspension.
That’s a huge lift for the Pacers, who have listed Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner as questionable for tonight’s contest.
Dallas is the No. 11 seed in the West, and it is in danger of missing the postseason with how it has played as of late.
Here are the odds and my best bet for this game:
Mavericks vs. Pacers odds, spread and total
Mavericks vs. Pacers prediction and pick
With Doncic suspended, there’s no way I’m betting on Dallas to beat the Pacers tonight.
The Mavericks are just 5-10 without Doncic this season, and the team is a league worst 2-8-1 ATS in the second leg of back-to-backs this season.
Dallas has been absolutely brutal on this losing streak, and I don’t see that changing, especially if Turner and Haliburton suit up for the Pacers.
Over the Mavericks’ last 10 games, they rank 22nd in net rating and a shocking 25th in offensive rating.
The offense is going to have even less options tonight without Doncic, and the Pacers, unlike Charlotte, actually have something to play for in this game.
Indiana is 6-6 ATS as a home favorite this season, winning those games by an average margin of 5.3 points per game. I have to trust the Pacers to get a win on Monday night.
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.