The Dallas Mavericks have a tall task ahead of them in defeating the Brooklyn Nets, but desperately need to continue adding to their win tally.

Catch this game live on Thursday, May 7, at 730 AM, Manila time.

HOME TEAM: Dallas Mavericks (37-28, 17-15 at home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Luka Doncic
  • SG: Josh Richardson
  • SF: Tim Hardaway Jr.
  • PF: Dorian Finney-Smith 
  • C: Dwight Powell

Luka Doncic was the hero in the February meeting, putting up 27 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two steals. 

The Mavericks are missing key rotation players though, as Kristaps Porzingis is still out, while Maxi Kleber didn’t play against Miami and could miss another game or two. 

Dallas Have gone 7-3 in their last 10 games, with Doncic averaging 29.1 PPG, 8.8 RPG and 9.3 APG in that span. He’s been shooting 49.1% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc. He only missed one of those 10 games.

The Mavericks are also 5-5 ATS over their last 10 games. They’re 2-4 as the home team in that span of time. They’ve hit the over 6 out of 10 games.

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ROAD TEAM: Brooklyn Nets (43-23, 18-15 on the road)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Kyrie Irving
  • SG: Joe Harris
  • SF: Jeff Green
  • PF: Kevin Durant
  • C: DeAndre Jordan

Their last game against the Mavericks in February didn’t go to plan, and ended up with a 115-98 for Dallas. However, the lineup was different then, as James Harden played without Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

Brooklyn have been in a mini-slump lately, having lost three-straight games to the Blazers and Bucks.

This time, we’ll likely see Durant and Irving and be without Harden, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury that suffered a setback in April.

Durant’s services will be important, considering that he’s back on hot-shooting form. In their pair of games against the Bucks, Durant averaged 37 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 4 APG along with a steal and a block. He also shot 49.1% from the field and 52.4% from three in that span.

Irving is averaging 28.7 PPG, 4 RPG, 4.7 APG and 2 SPG with 47.2% FG and 35.7% 3PFG in his last three games.

The Nets will need big nights from both of them as they try to right the ship. 

Over the last 10 games, the Nets are an even 5-5 against the spread, and have hit the under 7 out of 10 games. 

PREDICTIONS:

Spread:
If Irving and Durant play to their strengths, the Nets are going to be tough to beat. I would expect them to win and cover the -4 spread.

Over/Under:
Brooklyn has both a high-powered offense and the occasional habit of letting opponents score heavily. Take the over 232.5.