It’s Round 4 of the Dallas Mavericks-San Antonio Spurs series in the 2023-24 NBA regular season when these two Texas squads go at each other again this Wednesday. Will the Mavs complete a sweep of San Antonio? Or will the Spurs stun Dallas?

Catch this game live on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 8 AM, Manila time

Away: Dallas Mavericks (39-29/18-14 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

• Luka Doncic (Questionable)
• Kyrie Irving
• Derrick Jones Jr.
• P.J. Washington
• Daniel Gafford

There isn’t a bigger story about the Mavs over the last couple of days than Kyrie Irving, who served Dallas a win with his left hand in last MOnay’s 107-105 takedown of the Denver Nuggets. The Mavericks entered the Nuggets game coming off a 126-119 road loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder which snapped Dallas’ four-game win streak. But it looks like Irving and the Mavs’ morale is brimming again following that huge win over the reigning NBA champions. 

A surging offense and a stout defense have combined to give the Mavericks plenty of reasons to smile of late. Over the last five Dallas games, the Mavericks have posted a 121.3 offensive rating and 109.6 defensive rating – fourth and 10th in the league in that same span, respectively. One can expect the Mavericks to showcase the same level of success on both ends of the floor against the Spurs, whom Dallas has dominated in three games so far this season. The Mavs are 3-0 straight up and against the spread with a winning average of 18.3 points in three meetings with the Spurs in the current campaign.

Home: San Antonio Spurs (15-53/8-24 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

• Tre Jones
• Devin Vassell
• Julian Champagnie
• Jeremy Sochan
• Victor Wembanyama

The Mavericks clearly have San Antonio’s number this season, but at least the Spurs will have some momentum heading into their fourth and final tussle with Dallas. The Spurs, thanks in large part to the ever-improving super rookie Victor Wembanyama, took down the Brooklyn Nets last Monday in Austin, 122-115 (OT).  Wembanyama blasted the Nets for 33 points and 15 rebounds. He also has seven assists and seven blocks. 

Those are numbers rookie shouldn’t be posting in a game, but that’s also why Wemby is a basketball oddity with terrifying potential.  “I don’t see my progression stopping anytime soon,” Wemby said after the loss to the Nets. That’s a subtle yet strong message from the Frenchman to the Mavs, who will have to contend anew with the talented first-year NBA unicorn. 

The Spurs are 28-25-0 ATS in games after a loss this season. They are also 5-5 ATS in their last 10 games as the home team.

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Mavs (-8.0) cover the spread.

Over/Under: The total (231.5) hits the Over.