Blazers vs. Mavericks NBA expert prediction and odds for Wednesday, Jan. 3

The Portland Trail Blazers and Dallas Mavericks were both blown out on Monday, but one of them will get a win on Wednesday night in Dallas. 

Kyrie Irving’s return to action for Dallas was spoiled by a great showing from the Utah Jazz, but Irving and Luka Doncic should find things to be much easier against Portland’s struggling squad that is just 4-12 on the road. 

The Blazers are double-digit underdogs in this game, but they are hoping to have guard Anfernee Simons (questionable) back in action tonight. 

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Here are the latest odds and my best bet for this matchup: 

Blazers vs. Mavericks odds, spread and total

Blazers vs. Mavericks how to watch

• Date: Wednesday, Jan. 3
• Game Time: 8:30 p.m. EST
• Venue: American Airlines Center
• How to Watch (TV): Root Sports Northwest, Bally Sports Southwest
• Blazers Record: 9-23
• Mavericks Record: 19-15

Blazers vs. Mavericks injury reports

Blazers injury report

• Deandre Ayton – out
• Moses Brown – questionable
• Justin Minaya – questionable
• Toumani Camara – questionable
• Duop Reath – questionable
• Rayan Rupert – questionable
• Anfernee Simons – questionable
• Robert Williams III – out

Mavericks injury report

• Dante Exum – doubtful
• Maxi Kleber – out

Blazers vs. Mavericks key players to watch

Portland Trail Blazers

Scoot Henderson: We’re finally starting to see why Scoot Henderson was so highly touted entering the 2023 NBA Draft. The rookie guard has scored 17, 25, 22, and 17 points in his last four games, playing over 30 minutes in three straight. If Anfernee Simons (questionable) sits, Scoot could have a major role vs. Dallas. 

Dallas Mavericks 

Kyrie Irving: Irving returned to action from a heel injury in Dallas’ last game, scoring 14 points on 6-of-14 shooting in 32 minutes. The team needs to get him going to make a push for a top seed in the West, so we may see more of Kyrie in a favorable matchup vs. Portland. 

Blazers vs. Mavericks prediction and pick

I don’t love laying this number with Dallas since the team is just 5-6 ATS as a home favorite, but I can’t get behind this Blazers team. 

Portland was an 11.5-point dog before Kevin Durant was ruled out on Monday, and the team ended up losing by 21. 

Now, it has to try to defend Doncic and Irving – two of the game’s most gifted scorers – and won’t have Deandre Ayton down low to help out on offense. 

Portland is 27th in the NBA in offensive rating, and if Simons doesn’t play, I wonder where the team finds the scoring to keep up with Dallas. 

I’m not going to read too much into Dallas’ loss in Utah, as the team is still in the upper half of the league when it comes to covering the spread (18-16 overall). 

I’ll lean with Dallas and lay the points on Wednesday. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Find Peter Dewey's NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.