Dallas Mavericks vs. Charlotte Hornets Predictions, Picks, Odds

Michael Crosson Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

Nationally televised NBA action will resume on Saturday night with a compelling non-conference showdown between the Dallas Mavericks and Charlotte Hornets. Coverage begins from Spectrum Center at 7:00 p.m. ET on NBA TV.

Score Prediction

Mavericks 116, Hornets 108

Best Bets

Mavericks +1.5 (-110) at DraftKings

Mavericks vs. Hornets Predictions

After finishing 10^th in the East with a record of 33-39 SU last year, Charlotte bounced back with an excellent start to this season, as the Hornets opened with an impressive 26-20 SU and 29-17 ATS run – while ranking second in the league and scoring 114.4 PPG and sixth in offensive efficiency across that window (114.4 PPG, 1.093 OE).

Charlotte’s offense has been incredibly inconsistent since mid-January though, considering the Hornets enter Saturday riding a bumpy 9-15 SU and 9-13-2 ATS skid – while averaging 115.5 OPPG across that span, despite scoring 109 PTS or less in ten of those contests.

On the other hand, Dallas stumbled out to a surprisingly poor start to this season, as the Mavericks kicked things off with a lackluster 16-18 SU and 13-21 ATS skid – with five of those SU losses coming matchups they were favored in.

Dallas has admirably ridden the coattail of its defense since that opening skid though, considering the Mavericks boast sturdy records of 27-8 SU and 23-12 ATS across their last 35 games – while surrendering just 102.5 DPPG to their opponents during that timeframe.

I’ll back Dallas here, as the Mavericks are 14-3 SU and 12-4-1 ATS in their last 17 games, while tallying 108.1 OPPG and allowing just 103.4 DPPG during that span – likely presenting an uphill battle for a Hornets squad that’s surrendering 115.3 DPPG across their latest 7-13 SU skid.

Mavericks vs. Hornets Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

Mavericks vs. Hornets Betting Resources

• Matchup: Southwest vs. Southeast
• Date: Saturday, March 19, 2022
• Venue: Spectrum Center
• Location: Charlotte, NC
• TV-Time: NBA TV - 7:00 p.m. ET
• Injury Report

Dallas Mavericks Betting Analysis

• SU: 43-26
• ATS: 38-30-1
• O/U: 24-44-1

After another disappointing first-round exit in last year’s playoffs, Dallas briefly kept that same ball rolling with another slow start to this season, as the Mavericks opened with a lackluster 16-18 and 13-21 ATS stretch – with ten of those losses coming by seven points or more.

Dallas has recently found success by leaning on its defense though, considering the Mavericks enter Saturday riding a sturdy 27-8 SU run – while generating 108.1 OPPG and allowing just 102.5 DPPG across that stretch.

Charlotte Hornets Betting Analysis

• SU: 35-35
• ATS: 38-30-2
• O/U: 34-35-1

After last year’s underwhelming 33-39 SU showing, Charlotte immediately bounced back with a red-hot start to this season, as the Hornets opened with an impressive 26-20 SU and 29-17 ATS run – despite getting tagged as underdogs in 34 of those matchups.

The Hornets’ have been incredibly inconsistent since January though, considering Charlotte enters Saturday riding a lackluster 9-15 SU skid – while tallying 115.5 OPPG and surrendering 116.1 DPPG across that timeframe.

Mavericks vs. Hornets Head-to-Head

The Mavericks and Hornets split a two-game regular-season set last year, with both matchups staying under the total at an average of 207 PPG. The most recent matchup between these teams took place back in December of this season though, which resulted in another low-scoring victory for Dallas (120-96, U 216.5).

Key Players to Watch

• DAL: Luka Doncic - PG (28.2 PPG, 9.3 REB, 8.6 AST)
• DAL: Jalen Brunson - PG (16 PPG, 3.8 REB, 5.2 AST)
• CHA: LaMelo Ball - PG (19.7 PPG, 6.9 REB, 7.4 AST)
• CHA: Miles Bridges - PF (20 PPG, 7 REB, 3.8 AST)

Mavericks vs. Hornets Betting Conclusion

After extending their win streak to three games with a victory over Atlanta on Wednesday night (W, 116-106), the Hornets enter Saturday’s contest as short home underdogs against the Mavericks at Spectrum Center – marking the sixth time Charlotte has been an underdog in their last nine games.

I’ll back Dallas here, as the Hornets are 7-13 SU and 8-10-2 ATS in their last 20 games, while tallying 114.7 OPPG and allowing 115.3 DPPG across that window – setting the stage for another unfavorable matchup against a Mavs’ squad that’s surrendered 105 PTS or less in 11 of their last 17 contests (103.4 DPPG).

Mavericks vs. Hornets Betting Trends

• The Mavericks are 5-2 ATS in their last seven matchups against Charlotte.
• The Hornets are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games.
• The total has gone UNDER in five of the last six Mavericks' games.
• The total has gone OVER in four of the last six Hornets' games.

Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson