Predictions, odds, lineups for Mavericks vs Bucks regular-season game

Mavericks face Bucks in final game of away series. Irving expected to play, Antetokounmpo a game-time decision. Doncic leads high-scoring offense.

The Dallas Mavericks (9-3) are gearing up to face off against the Milwaukee Bucks (8-4) in their final game of a four-game away series on Saturday night, before heading back to Dallas to take on the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.

Kyrie Irving, who sat out against the Washington Wizards earlier this week with a left foot sprain, is expected to play on Saturday. Meanwhile, Luka Doncic, who had a subpar performance against the Pelicans, bounced back with an impressive showing against the Wizards, scoring 26 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been dealing with a calf strain, made a full return to action against the Hornets on Friday night, putting up 16 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists. It remains to be seen if he will play against the Mavericks, as he is considered a game-time decision.

Damian Lillard has seamlessly integrated into the Bucks team, moving up on the all-time assist list after his standout performance in the Bucks' recent win against the Charlotte Hornets. Lillard has been averaging 24.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.6 assists so far this season.

The staff notes that these teams are evenly matched on both sides of the ball, so the little things will matter in this game. Dallas is the better rebounding team, and it is expected that this edge will play a significant role in the matchup. Milwaukee has also struggled to guard the pick-and-roll this year, and it is anticipated that Dallas and its all-star guard combination will exploit that weakness.

According to the ESPN Matchup Predictor, the Milwaukee Bucks have a 51.1% chance of beating the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday.

The staff is betting on Dallas' high-scoring offense to outlast Milwaukee in the second game of a back-to-back. The Mavericks rank first in rim field goal percentage, first in three-point percentage, and second in effective field goal percentage this season. With rest advantage, that should be good enough to take advantage of the Bucks' subpar defense. The staff also notes that the Bucks are not covering numbers, making this a favorable spot for the Mavericks and their high-powered offense.

The staff adds that the Bucks are returning home while the Mavericks are looking to head home, but Dallas has been the better team this season. There is also a possibility that Giannis Antetokounmpo may sit out after playing on Friday, which would significantly impact the Bucks, especially their already porous defense. The spread would also potentially move in favor of the Mavericks. The staff expects the Mavericks to finish their road trip on a high note and take advantage of the Bucks' defense.

For those looking to catch the NBA action this season, Fubo is the place to be.

The projected lineups for Saturday's regular season game, according to RotoWire, are as follows:

Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.

In conclusion, the Mavericks vs. Bucks game promises to be an exciting matchup, with both teams vying for the win. Be sure to tune in to catch all the action.