Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (2) and San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) and forward Harrison Barnes (40) battle for control of the ball during the second half at the American Airlines Center in Dallas Oct. 24.

The San Antonio Spurs open the season against the Dallas Mavericks Wednesday. Tip-off from American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, is set for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NBA odds around the Spurs vs. Mavericks odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

2024-25 season series: Mavs won 3-1

The Spurs come to town down their second-best player in G De'Aaron Fox (hamstring). They didn' do a lot in the offseason other than lock Fox up to an extension. C Victor Wembanyama returns from a blood clot issue that ended his season prematurely. Wemby and continued development of G Stephon Castle will be crucial in this stretch without Fox. Castle averaged 14.7 points oer game (PPG) and shot 28.5% from downtown. The latter will need to improve, but it was a solid campaign as a rookie.

The Mavs are short-handed as well as G Kyrie Irving (knee) rehabs from a torn ACL. There is hope he'll be ready shortly after New Year's. They signed a very good Band-Aid in G D'Angelo Russell in the interim. They are toting a 2-headed monster of C Anthony Davis and No. 1 overall pick F Cooper Flagg. He averaged 11.3 PPG and 4.5 RPG in 21.7 minutes per game in the preseason. Those numbers, based on a per-75-possession ratio, would peg him for 17.7 PPG and 7.1 RPG in the regular season. The real question is: Which AD are we going to get? Now 32, his numbers were down in just 9 games with Dallas before injuries sealed his fate.

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Spurs at Mavericks odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:01 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Spurs +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Mavericks -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Spurs +2.5 (-105) | Mavericks -2.5 (-115)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 224.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Spurs at Mavericks key injuries

Spurs

  • G De'Aaron Fox (hamstring) out
  • C Kelly Olynyk (heel) out
  • G Jeremy Sochan (wrist) out

Mavericks

  • G Dante Exum (knee) out
  • C Daniel Gafford (ankle) doubtful
  • G Kyrie Irving (knee) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

Spurs at Mavericks picks and predictions

Prediction

Spurs 111, Mavericks 101

Moneyline

The Mavs are moderate favorites at home, and I don't like it. I know the Spurs are without Fox, but Wemby will control the paint. AD looked somewhat disinterested after he was traded to Dallas last season, and he has a rookie on the wing to kick it to. They really don't have enough outside shooting.

I'll take the SPURS (+125).

Against the spread

Castle is key to a Spurs win here. He shot 3-for-8 from 3-point land in 2 preseason games, and I think he comes out firing. Give me STEPHON CASTLE OVER 1.5 THREES (+140) at a salivacious number.

Over/Under

The Over is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings between the teams, but these teams are so different now. There are a lot of moving parts and new parts, and it's going to take time to gel.

Give me the UNDER 224.5 (-115).

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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks odds, picks and predictions

Reporting by Ryan Dodson, Sportsbook Wire / Sportsbook Wire

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