The Dallas Mavericks (30-26) will host the New Orleans Pelicans (13-42) in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The game will broadcast live on NBA League Pass.
The Mavericks are 5.5-point favorites over the Pelicans on the spread, with the over/under set at 237 total points. Dallas is a -220 favorite to win outright, while New Orleans is +180 to pull off the upset.
Let's get to my Pelicans vs. Mavericks predictions and NBA picks for Friday, February 21.
Pelicans vs Mavericks Prediction
My Mavericks vs. Pelicans best bet is on PJ Washington Over 8.5 Rebounds, with the best line currently available at DraftKings. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
My Pick: PJ Washington Over 8.5 Rebounds (-145)
Pelicans vs Mavericks Odds, Lines, Picks
| Pelicans Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -110 | 237 -110o / -110u | +180 |
| Mavericks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -110 | 237 -110o / -110u | -220 |
- Pelicans vs. Mavericks spread: Mavericks -5.5
- Pelicans vs. Mavericks over/under: 237 total points
- Pelicans vs. Mavericks moneyline: Pelicans +180, Mavericks -220
- Pelicans vs. Mavericks best bet:PJ Washington Over 8.5 Rebounds
New Orleans Pelicans vs Dallas Mavericks NBA Preview
We've been successful targeting guys on this banged-up Mavericks team recently.
It was PJ Washington when Luka Doncic and Dereck Lively went down. It's been Max Christie when Washington went down.
There's a boatload of rebounding opportunities available in an amazing matchup. We just have to figure out who is actually going to suit up.
Washington missed time with a knee injury, came back for one game, and was immediately sidelined again with a sprained ankle. He's played just once in February.
Washington is questionable tonight, but if he returns, he'll be the Mavs most proven rebounder by a mile. Dallas' top 5 players in rebounds and rebound chances per game are Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, Doncic, Lively, and Washington.
Obviously, four of those guys are either injured or on a different team. Washington is at 8.2 RPG on 13.0 rebound chances. Christie is the only other Maverick above 5 RPG or 10 rebound chances, and it's a small sample (6 games).
New Orleans is 29th in rebounding rate and 28th in rebounds allowed on the season. They're 28th in both metrics over the past 10 games.
The Pelicans allow the most rebounds per game to centers. Washington is more of a power forward, but he'll be playing center if he's available tonight.
He faced off against New Orleans in mid-January in one of Dallas' first games without both Doncic and Lively, and he piled up 14 rebounds on 22 rebound chances in that contest.
Best Bet: PJ Washington Over 8.5 Rebounds (-145)
Pelicans vs Mavericks Parlay Picks
By Kyle Murray
I'm somewhat surprised by the number here for Zion, as he continues to perform very well for the Pelicans.
He has had massive usage rates as of late with Brandon Ingram traded and Dejounte Murray out, as he has a 38% usage rate with those two off the floor this year.
This is a top-10 matchup for him as the Mavs have allowed the 8th-most points to opposing bigs this season, and I have him projected for north of 26 points tonight.
Best Bet: Zion Williamson Over 24.5 Points (-115)
Pelicans vs. Mavericks Same Game Parlay
- PJ Washington Over 8.5 Rebounds
- Zion Williamson Over 24.5 Points
Parlay Payout: +216
Mavericks vs. Pelicans Betting Trends
