Dallas Mavericks vs Cleveland Cavaliers prediction

Recent results

• Dallas Mavericks: 3 wins from the last 5, average margin +2.4 points (L 94–133 @ MIN, W 125–122 v IND, W 130–93 v BKN, W 112–100 v UTAH, L 111–112 @ SA).
• Cleveland Cavaliers: 2 wins from the last 5, average margin −0.8 points (L 121–133 @ MIA, W 115–107 @ NY, L 112–124 @ CHA, L 97–109 v NY, W 119–95 v PHI).

This is the first meeting between these teams this season. Results are taken from final scores, most recent first.

Our pre-game preview

Dallas Mavericks are our pick on the road against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The model gives them a 56% chance of winning, which makes this game a lean (55 to 65%).

On the rosters we expect, Dallas Mavericks rate as the stronger team (94.5 to 69.4 on our team-strength rating), and that is the main reason for the pick.

Recent form: Dallas Mavericks have been losing by 1.9 points a game, while Cleveland Cavaliers have been losing by 0.1 points a game.

Schedule: Cleveland Cavaliers are on the second night of a back-to-back, which the model takes into account.

Injuries: Dallas Mavericks will be without Sergio de Larrea (20 min a game), Dereck Lively II (16 min a game) and Max Christie (15 min a game) and Cleveland Cavaliers will be without James Harden (32 min a game), Donovan Mitchell (32 min a game), Evan Mobley (31 min a game), Peyton Watson (26 min a game), Jarrett Allen (25 min a game) and Sam Merrill (22 min a game). Players listed as unsure are counted by how likely they are to play.

Season so far: Dallas Mavericks are 7–6 and Cleveland Cavaliers are 7–7.

This preview was written from the data we had before the game.