NBA Basketball - San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks (-1, 187) 3:30 PM ET
 With each passing day it is appearing the Spurs are not going to catch Phoenix for the number two spot in the Western Conference and in turn loses motivation and plays on cruise control, resting and sitting the regular like Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.
San Antonio has had a number of bench players nicked and coach Greg Popovich wants to get Brent Barry and Robert Horry in particular, back in the swing, making them sharp once the second season begins.
Even if the three stars for the Spurs don't play heavy minutes, coach Popovich will still want to continue sultry second half momentum.
San Antonio has the best record in the NBA since the All-Star break at 22-3 (16-9 ATS) with Dallas in hot pursuit with next best results at 20-4.
Dallas has had a remarkable season, establishing franchise highs in wins and being the most complete team in the NBA on both sides of the floor. A recent example of the pride this team takes was at Minnesota this past Wednesday.
Nearly every handicapper and amateur forum sharp was on the T-Wolves to win when reports surfaced the Mavs were going to start sitting players to get rest before the playoffs begin. Instead this Dallas club without Dirk Nowitzki, Devon Harris, Jerry Stackhouse and Erick Dampier comes out and lays 38-15 third quarter on hapless Minnesota and coasts home 105-88 winner as two point road favorites.
This has become a prideful team who realizes they blew a great chance to be NBA champs a year ago and want to make sure that chance doesn't pass them by again no matter who is playing.
Because of player availability, sportsbook.com has not released a side or total, but that doesn't mean the competitive juices won't be flowing once they see the other uniforms.
These two teams have not faced one another since January 5, when for the second time Dallas won at San Antonio. The home court has meant little in recent games, with the visitor 5-0 SU and ATS dating back to last year's fascinating playoff series. In fact, going back to all games played starting with the 2005 campaign, the underdog is unthinkable 12-2 against the spread.
San Antonio is 6-2 ATS in last eight road games playing against a team with a winning record.
The Mavs are only 20-19-1 ATS at American Airlines Arena, but are 8-4 against the spread when favored by nine or less points at home since opening the season with four straight losses.
Discuss and post your picks for Sunday's NBA basketball betting card in the SCI forum. |
