Mavericks vs. Nets NBA expert prediction and odds for Tuesday, Feb. 6 (Back Dallas on the road)

Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic returned to the Dallas starting lineup on Monday and it was enough for the Mavericks to snap a two-game losing streak.

The tandem combined for 42 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists as Dallas took care of the shorthanded 76ers, 118-102. Dallas wraps up a back-to-back on the road Tuesday night in Brooklyn. Should you back them as short road favorites again? 

The Nets’ offense cooled off in a 109-98 loss to the Golden State Warriors at home on Monday. They are back at Barclays Center as home underdogs for a second-straight night when Dallas comes to town. 

Here’s the betting preview for Tuesday with a best bet. 

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Mavericks vs. Nets odds, spread and total

Mavericks vs. Nets how to watch

• Date: Tuesday, Feb. 6
• Game time: 7:30 p.m. EST
• Venue: Barclays Center
• How to watch (TV): TNT
• Mavericks record: 27-23
• Nets record: 20-29

Mavericks vs. Nets injury reports

Dallas Mavericks

• Dereck Lively II (nose): out
• Dante Exum (knee): questionable

Brooklyn Nets

• Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle): out
• Ben Simmons (back): questionable
• Cameron Johnson (leg): questionable
• Lonnie Walker IV (hamstring): questionable

Mavericks vs. Nets key players to watch

Mavericks

Josh Green: Irving and Doncic dominated the headlines in their return to the Mavericks’ starting lineup, but Green shined in the win over Philadelphia. The former first-round pick averages 8.8 points per game but poured in 20 points on Monday for the second-straight game on 6-of-9 shooting. Green is averaging 19.3 points and 5.6 rebounds over the last three games and has gone 10-of-18 from 3-point range in that span. 

Nets

Nic Claxton: The 6-foot-11 center averages a double-double at 12.4 points and 10.3 rebounds (10th in the NBA) per game. Claxon is seventh in the NBA in field goal percentage (64%) and registered a season-high seven blocks in Monday’s loss to Golden State. He has a great matchup against Dallas, which ranks 22nd in allowing points in the paint. 

Mavericks vs. Nets prediction and pick

Getting healthy, Dallas is beginning a push in the Western Conference standings. The Mavericks are currently the No. 8 seed but are within striking distance (two games) of the No. 7 New Orleans Pelicans and No. 6 Phoenix Suns and just 2.5 back of the No. 5 Sacramento Kings. 

Dallas needs to stack wins and that’s what it's done against lesser competition this season. The Mavericks are 16-5 this year against teams that are under .500, the second-best mark in the Western Conference (Golden State is 14-3) against those opponents. 

With Irving and Doncic on the court together this season, Dallas is 13-10 and is 14-9 ATS overall on the road after Monday’s win over Philadelphia. That tandem was able to offset a poor shooting night (0-for-8) from Tim Hardaway Jr., combining for 42 points. The Mavericks’ dynamic backcourt gets a matchup against a Nets’ team that is No. 22 in the NBA in defensive rating at home this season. 

The Mavericks are 5-3 finishing a back-to-back this season (Brooklyn is 2-3-1). Take Dallas as a short road favorite on Monday. 

Game odds update periodically and are subject to change.