Mavs vs Spurs Game 3 – Picks

San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks

Game 3

Saturday 4:35 pm EST

April 26, 2014

Line: San Antonio Spurs -3.5

Welcome to the Wild West.

Being the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, logic states that the Mavericks should have no chance over the NBA’s best team, San Antonio Spurs. After the Mavericks performances in the first two games of the series, that might have been the case any other year – not in 2014.

After the Spurs Game 2 loss, in which they saw their 10-game winning streak against the Mavericks snapped, Dallas proved that they’re better than most eighth seeds. Dangerous and explosive, the Mavericks’ high-powered offense has looked crisp in two games this series. With the series returning to Dallas, the Spurs, who haven’t faced adversity all season long, will have to make some adjustments to gain back home court advantage.

Stopping Devin Harris is a great place to start. Harris has flourished in the first two games of the series. Leading the team in scoring, Harris has scored 37 points on 15-of-25 shooting. During the regular season, the Mavericks bench averaged 35.6 points, and continues to play a vital role for Dallas’ success in the playoffs. Dallas has shown that when Nowitzki and the rest of the starters struggle to score, Dallas’ bench is more than capable of carrying the offense. Especially when the Spurs give the Mavericks extra possessions during the course of the game.

During the regular season, the Spurs ranked near the middle of the pack in turnovers (14.1). A veteran team like San Antonio is expected to take care of the basketball. That was not the case in Game 2 where the Spurs turned the ball over 22 times. But do not bank on them to be careless in Game 3. What you can anticipate is the solid production from Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker to continue. What must change however is the play of the rest of the roster who is shooting 33 percent in the series.

Returning home for Game 3 is a welcoming site for the Mavericks. Averaging 107.4 points at home compared to 102.2 points on the road, the Mavericks have their eyes set on pulling off the upset. However, Nowitzki, who’s 11-of-33 from the field so far, must return to his old playoff form. Dallas is on the brink of being part of something special. Nowitzki must not let this opportunity doesn’t slip away.

Expect the Mavs to win this series. Their journey towards the second round begins with a Game 3 victory. Take the points if you want, but after the next 48 minutes are played, you’re definitely not going to need them.

My Pick: Dallas wins series and Game 3 (Dallas Moneyline)