The Dallas Mavericks are looking to escape the NBA’s Play-In Tournament and qualify as a top-6 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
The Mavs are currently sitting as the No. 8 seed in the West at 36-28, one game behind the Phoenix Suns for the sixth position.
In the Eastern Conference, the Chicago Bulls are destined for the Play-In Tournament barring an incredible run over the final month of the season. They are in the No. 9 spot as they return home following a solid 3-1 road trip out West.
Mavericks vs. Bulls odds
- Spread: Mavericks -4 (-112), Bulls +4 (-108)
- Total: Over 232.5 (-112), Under 232.5 (-108)
- Moneyline: Mavericks -178, Bulls +148
Odds via FanDuel
Mavericks vs. Bulls prediction
Despite losing the final game of their away swing to the Clippers on Saturday, the Bulls have won five of their past eight contests as they welcome the Mavericks to the United Center Monday night.
Luka Doncic is coming off an NBA-record sixth consecutive 30-point triple-double in Saturday’s 142-124 blowout of the Pistons. The MVP candidate has scored at least 30 points in each of the past nine games, but Dallas owns just a 4-5 record in the span.
Since the All-Star break, Chicago has lost three of four home games, including a pair of blowout losses to Eastern Conference heavyweights Boston and Milwaukee.
In the first matchup between these teams in November, the Mavericks held off the Bulls, 114-105, as 3.5-point favorites. Doncic was limited to 18 points, while backcourt mate Kyrie Irving missed the game due to injury.
Mavericks vs. Bulls pick
Since the start of February, the Mavericks have put together a terrific 5-1 record both straight-up and against the spread in the role of a road favorite.
Let’s back the Mavericks as a 4-point favorite here to cover against the Bulls.
Pick: Mavericks -4 (-112 at FanDuel)
