by Chuck Sommers
Sunday, Mar 26, 2023
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Venue: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
Where to watch: BSSE-CHA, BSSW-DAL
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Mavs -10
BetMGM: Mavs -10
Caesars: Mavs -10
Season record
Mavs: 36-38
Hornets: 24-51
The All-Star break is over in the NBA and it's time to get on the horse and finish up the final home stretch of the season. Big trades, uncertainty, and absolute hilarity across the board all gearing up for the final home stretch of this season. You know who is also gearing up for the home stretch? Our champion handicappers at bigal.com who are ready to win their way all the way to the playoffs. There's a lot going on that we can't wait for in these final 23-25 games and you're going to need every bit of hardcore analysis you can get from this group. Just in the last 30 days we've had some big winners. Doc's Sports has posted a 16-6-0 record in the last month (+$9,200). AAA Sports has killed it at 17-8-0, and then Al McMordie with a dominant 20-11-1 mark over the last 30 days. Everything you need to know and more about what's going on this league and sports in general will be a fun finish to the end. All you have to do is go to bigal.com and find our Best Bets page and put forth something that only you think is good. Here's a hint: Go to the bigal.com website and happy betting.
Mavs - Hornets preview, prediction and analysis
The Dallas Mavericks are set to take on the Charlotte Hornets for the second time in three days and may God help the Mavs.
Dallas lost 117-109 to the hapless Hornets in what might have been the worst loss of the season for the Luka Doncic-Kyrie Irving Mavs. And now, they are currently on the outside looking in on the playoff picture, Luka is saying he’s not happy playing ball, Kyrie doesn’t care if the fans are booing, everything appears to be fine with the Mavs. Lottery is looking mighty great right now.
All I know is if they don’t figure out what to do with this team in the final eight games or so, this is going to be a horrendous offseason.
Heading into this matchup, both teams will be looking to come away with a victory. For the Mavericks, a win would help solidify their position in the Western Conference standings and give them momentum as they head into the final stretch of the season. For the Hornets, a win would help them climb higher in the Eastern Conference standings and potentially secure a playoff spot.
One key matchup to watch in this game will be between Doncic and Ball. The two young stars have drawn comparisons to each other all season, and this will be their first matchup since Ball returned from injury. Doncic will likely look to take advantage of Ball's inexperience on defense, while Ball will look to use his size and athleticism to disrupt Doncic's game.
Another matchup to watch will be between Porzingis and Hornets center, Mason Plumlee. Plumlee has been a solid contributor for the Hornets this season, averaging 9.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Porzingis will look to use his size and shooting ability to stretch Plumlee out of the paint and create opportunities for himself and his teammates.
Overall, this game promises to be an exciting matchup between two young and talented teams. With Doncic and Porzingis leading the way for the Mavericks, and Ball and Bridges leading the way for the Hornets, fans can expect a high-scoring game with plenty of highlight-reel plays.
Prediction
Last chance, Mavs. Mavs 118, Hornets 114
Projected starting lineup
Mavs:
PG: Luka Doncic
SG: Kyrie Irving
SF: Reggie Bullock
PF: Maxi Kleber
C: Dwight Powell
Hornets:
PG: Dennis Smith Jr.
SG: Bryce McGowens
SF: Gordon Hayward
PF: P.J. Washington
C: Mark Williams
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this preview, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NBA/college basketball projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
