The Detroit Pistons (21-5) and Dallas Mavericks (10-17) meet Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET from American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Pistons vs. Mavericks odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Pistons lead 1-0
The Pistons beat the Boston Celtics 112-105 Monday, covering as a 1-point road underdog with the Under (231.5) cashing. G Cade Cunningham was really the only Detroit player to get much going, tallying 32 points on 11-for-21 shooting. The Pistons have won 4 straight games and 6 of their last 7 contests. However, they are just 3-4 against the spread (ATS) in that span but 15-11 ATS on the season.
The Mavericks, who were expected to be a preseason championship contender but have had major injury issues, lost 140-133 to the Utah Jazz in overtime Monday, failing to cover as a 1-point road favorite. The Over (241.5) hit. 2025 No. 1 overall pick F Cooper Flagg put up 42 points on 13-for-27 shooting. Dallas has won 5 of its last 7 games and is 5-2 ATS in that span. It is 13-14 ATS on the season.
Pistons at Mavericks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 10:30 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Pistons -235 (bet $235 to win $100) | Mavericks +190 (bet $100 to win $190)Against the spread (ATS): Pistons -5.5 (-105) | Mavericks +5.5 (-115)Over/Under (O/U): 228.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Pistons at Mavericks key injuries
Pistons
Mavericks
C Anthony Davis (calf) questionableG Dante Exum (knee) outG Kyrie Irving (knee) outC Dereck Lively II (foot) outG D’Angelo Russell (illness) questionableF Brandon Williams (achilles) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Pistons at Mavericks picks and predictionsPrediction
Pistons 118, Mavericks 114
PASS.
The Pistons (-235) are among the best teams in the NBA and they should stay rolling Thursday. However, expect this to be a close contest.
BET MAVERICKS +6.5 (-115).
Dallas has been on a tear, especially at home and as an underdog. It has covered in all 3 home games in the month of December and is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 contests as an underdog. The Mavericks have scored at least 118 points in 4 of their last 5 games as well.
The Pistons, despite sitting atop the Eastern Conference, haven’t covered with any consistency as of late. They are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games and 3-7 ATS across their last 10 contests. Detroit’s defense has relapsed, allowing at least 112 points in 4 of its last 5 performances.
Take MAVERICKS +6.5 (-115).
BET OVER 228.5 (-110).
If there’s one thing both sides can agree on, it is the Over. Each team has trended that way but also has ranked among the top half of the league in pace, which should help the tempo and scoring opportunities.
The Pistons have gone Over in 3 of their last 4 games, scoring at least 122 points in 3 of those. Dallas has gone Over in 4 straight and is 6-2 O/U in its previous 8 contests.
Back OVER 228.5 (-110).
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