Friday’s Tip Sheet

Game of the Night: Mavericks at 76ers – 8:05 PM EST

Dallas (18-9 SU, 16-11 ATS) is running through a tough gauntlet of Eastern Conference heavyweights, all without MVP candidate Luka Doncic. Since the young Mavericks’ star injured his ankle in an overtime loss to Miami last Saturday, Dallas has faced the likes of Milwaukee and Boston and found a way to grab a split.

The Mavericks ended the Bucks’ 18-game winning streak this past Monday, 120-116 as 10 ½-point road underdogs, led by Kristaps Porzingis and Seth Curry, each who put up 26 points in the win. Dallas drilled 16 three-pointers in the upset, as the Mavs improved to 10-2 away from American Airlines Center this season. However, Dallas fell to Boston two nights later, 109-103 after squandering a five-point halftime lead. Porzingis stepped up once again with 23 points and 13 rebounds, but the Mavs slipped to 5-7 ATS against Eastern Conference foes.

The 76ers (20-9 SU, 12-14-3 ATS) were the last team in the league without a home loss prior to Wednesday’s 108-104 setback to the Heat as eight-point favorites. Joel Embiid led the Sixers with 22 points and 19 rebounds, but Miami took control of the game by outscoring Philadelphia, 37-19 in the second quarter to take an eight-point halftime lead. The 76ers fell to 6-2-2 ATS as a home favorite of eight points or less, as Philadelphia tries to avoid its second three-game losing streak of the season.

The Mavericks cashed in both meetings as an underdog last season against the 76ers, including in a 106-100 defeat at Wells Fargo Center as 6 ½-point ‘dogs. Dallas has not won in Philadelphia since November 2015 in a 92-86 victory, but the Mavs are 3-0 ATS In the past three matchups with the 76ers.

Kings at Pacers – 7:05 PM EST

Three teams have reached the 20-win mark in the Eastern Conference prior to Christmas (Bucks, 76ers, and Heat). The Pacers (19-9 SU, 16-11-1 ATS) hope to join that class with a victory on Friday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana is riding a four-game winning streak, capped off by a 105-102 home triumph over the Lakers on Tuesday night as slight one-point underdogs. Four Pacers’ starters finished in double-figures, led by Domantas Sabonis, who recorded his 13th consecutive double-double with 26 points and 10 rebounds.

Sacramento (12-15 SU, 16-11 ATS) began the season at 0-5 ATS, but the Kings covered 15 of the next 18 games, including back-to-back road underdog victories at Dallas and Houston. However, the Kings are 1-3 ATS the last four games (all as a favorite), which includes outright losses to New York and Charlotte. Luke Walton’s club owns a solid 8-2 ATS mark in their last 10 opportunities in the away ‘dog role, as the Kings lost to the Raptors, 76ers, and Celtics by a combined 11 points.

Since losing the season opener to the Pistons, the Pacers have put together an impressive 11-1 SU and 8-3-1 ATS mark in their last 12 chances in the home favorite role. The home squad captured each of the two meetings last season, while the Pacers are 3-0 in the past three matchups in Indianapolis.

Wizards at Raptors – 7:35 PM EST

Just like Indiana, Toronto (19-8 SU, 16-11 ATS) is seeking its 20th win of the season as the Raptors, Celtics, and 76ers are tied for first place in the Atlantic division. The defending champions will be without forward Pascal Siakam (25.1 ppg), who is out with a groin injury suffered in Wednesday’s victory at Detroit. The Raptors are in the midst of a three-game winning streak after cruising past the Pistons, 112-99 as 2 ½-point road favorites, paced by Siakam’s 26 points.

The Wizards (8-18 SU, 13-12-1 ATS) head north of the border following Wednesday’s meltdown loss in overtime to the Bulls. Washington led Chicago, 93-75 with 8:21 remaining in regulation before the Bulls stormed back with a 23-5 run to force overtime. The Bulls edged the Wizards, 110-109 to cash as one-point road underdogs, two nights after blowing a 25-point cushion in a loss at Oklahoma City. Washington fell to 2-8 in the last 10 games, while dropping 2-5 SU/ATS in the favorite role.

Obviously the Wizards are flipped to an underdog on Friday as Washington is 7-3-1 ATS when receiving at least 5 ½ points on the road. Meanwhile, Toronto owns a 10-2 SU and 9-3 ATS record as a home favorite, as the Raptors have failed to cover in this role in a win only once against the Kings on November 6. Toronto swept the four-game series from Washington last season, as all four contests sailed OVER the total.

Pistons at Celtics – 7:35 PM EST

Detroit (12-16 SU, 11-16-1 ATS) hits the road following consecutive double-digit home losses to Washington and Toronto. The Pistons’ offense shut down at halftime in Wednesday’s 112-99 setback to the Raptors as Detroit managed only 35 points in the second half, while connecting on 6-of-35 attempts from three-point range. Blake Griffin scored 16 points in the loss as the Pistons’ forward is doubtful for Friday’s action with a knee injury.

The Celtics (18-7 SU, 15-8-2 ATS) snapped a two-game skid in Wednesday’s 109-103 triumph at Dallas to pull off a season sweep of the Mavericks. Kemba Walker led Boston with 32 points, while backcourt mate Jaylen Brown put up 26 points as the Celtics played their first game following a five-day layoff after losing their first home contest of the season to the 76ers.

In Boston’s 10 wins at TD Garden this season, the Celtics have covered the spread seven times, while limiting three of the past four opponents to less than 95 points at home. Since starting the season at 1-9 away from Little Caesars Arena, the Pistons have managed to win three consecutive road games, including a 115-107 upset of Houston as 7 ½-point underdogs on December 14. The Celtics have won five of the past six meetings with the Pistons since 2017, including taking three of four matchups last season.

You can reach Kevin Rogers via e-mail at rogers@vegasinsider.com

Kevin Rogers can be followed on Twitter at virogers.