Dallas Mavs Top 3 Betting Picks vs. Sacramento Kings: ‘Better Defense’ Possible?

Looking for the best betting odds and predictions for tonight's Dallas Mavericks game? Check out DallasBasketball.com's best predictions and player props.
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Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks are back home to host De'Aaron Fox and the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night. 

The Mavs are fresh off a 132-125 loss in the first game of their back-to-back on Saturday night against the Milwaukee Bucks. Dallas held a nine-point lead heading into the fourth quarter but Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks scored 43 fourth quarter points to edge out the Mavs despite Doncic and Kyrie Irving combining for 74 points.

"Just got to play better defense. That's it," Doncic said. "I don't think offense is a problem. I think we just have to play better defense."

Playing defense won’t get any easier for Dallas on Sunday, as the Kings are coming off a 129-120 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night. Fox erupted for a season-high 43 points on 14-of-24 shooting from the field and 5-of-11 from the 3-point line.

Going into tonight's matchup, Dallas will be without Maxi Kleber for the sixth straight game with a right toe injury. For Sacramento, Kevin Huerter is questionable with a left finger sprain while both Trey Lyles (left calf strain) and Alex Len (right ankle sprain) are out.

Mavs' Luka Doncic drives to the basket past Kings' Kevin Huerter.
Mavs' Luka Doncic drives to the basket past Kings' Kevin Huerter / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Check out the the betting lines and player props below, courtesy of SI Sportsbook.

The Lines

Point Spread: Mavericks (+1.5) / Kings (-1.5)

Money Line: Mavericks (+105) / Kings (-133)

Over/Under: 245.5

Player Props / Our Picks

Kyrie Irving O/U 32.5 Points + Assists: Over

Irving has officially found his groove scoring the basketball after a slower start than normal to begin the season. Over the last four games, Irving is averaging 29.5 points on 53.1 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent from downtown on nine attempts per game, including a 39-point effort in Saturday's loss. Take the over.

De'Aaron Fox O/U 28.5 Points: Over

Through his first six games played, Fox is looking to have a career-year, averaging a career-high 32.2 points per game as he's coming off a 43-point performance in Friday's win over San Antonio. Look for Fox to continue his hot streak against a vulnerable and tired Dallas defense.

Domantas Sabonis O/U 32.5 Points + Rebounds: Over

Despite the phenomenal play of rookie Dereck Lively II to start the season, going up against a big like Sabonis on the glass is a little different, who is second in the league in rebounds per game with 12.9. Look for Sabonis to fill the stat sheet tonight.

Prediction: After a tough clutch time loss last night, the Mavericks will both be motivated to get back on track but also with less rest on their side in tonight's game. Look for another shootout in tonight's game as Dallas enters their first two-game slump of the season. Take Sacramento -1.5.



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Michael Mulford
MICHAEL MULFORD

Michael Mulford is a writer/editor for Dallas Basketball, where he extensively covers the Dallas Mavericks. He also covers the Chicago Bulls as the Managing Editor for Bulls Wire of USA Today Sports Media Group. Mulford grew up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and graduated from the University of North Texas in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Event, and Sports Management. He began his pursuit of sports writing in 2017 with Dallas Sports Fanatic, where he covered the Mavericks’ G League affiliate, Texas Legends. He then became the Managing Editor of Dallas Sports Fanatic just one year later and has covered the Mavericks as a credentialed media member since 2018, including covering numerous playoff games between 2021-22 and covering the team at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas in 2019. In his time covering the Mavericks, Mulford has conducted numerous interviews for exclusive stories including with Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki, former Maverick and current VP of Basketball Ops Michael Finley, former Mavericks GM Donnie Nelson, and more. You can follow and interact with Mulford on Twitter at @TheMulf.