NBA weekend tips: Celtics and Mavericks square off in form teams showdown

It's another awesome weekend of basketball action in the NBA - here's our preview of the best bets from some of the key match-ups.

Utah Jazz @ San Antonio Spurs

Saturday 12 March, 1.30am 

History could be made on Friday night in San Antonio – even if the markets suggest it will not. Gregg Popovich, currently tied with Don Nelson on a total of 1,335 regular season victories as a head coach, will secure sole possession of the NBA record if the Spurs defeat the Utah Jazz.

The odds of 3.4 on that outcome point to a 24-hour delay when his team will deservedly be favourites to roll past the Indiana Pacers. 

At 73-years-old, Pop does not have time on his side but it will be more fitting, at least, if he can move past Nellie on his home turf.

One distinction that San Antonio’s play-calling principal is unlikely to achieve this term is to overtake Pat Riley for second place in the most playoff win charts. Two more are required to trail only Phil Jackson, but the Spurs’ 25-41 record hints at missing even the Play-In berths. 

There is lots to like from a roster short on experience but high on promise. They lead the whole NBA in assists. And are ranked seventh in scoring. Their points differential of -0.3 is eighth-ranked in the West. 

But they lack a punch. Popovich’s side are 3-38 once they trail by double digits. The comeback kings, they are not.

Faced with freescoring Utah though, it should be a fun watch with a tempting total points tally of over 231 available at 1.95.

And who knows? Perhaps the record will fall, adding to Pop’s collection of titles, with the NBA ready to applaud. 

Recommended bets: San Antonio on a points spread of +6.5 against Utah @ 2.04

Milwaukee Bucks @ Golden State Warriors

Sunday 13 March, 1.30am, Sky Sports Arena

The latest possible dress rehearsal for the NBA Finals sees the Bucks host the Warriors. Yet which of these two, based on recent form, is most likely to be playing come the middle of June? 

Milwaukee, who have won six straight including statement defeats of Phoenix and Miami while averaging 127.7 points per contest, or the Dubs, losers of nine out of 13 – a stretch in which they have been defeated by 10 points or more on five occasions and when even Steph Curry has looked mortal.

The Warriors can still explode although it was a return to their stellar defence that walloped Denver on Thursday. And amid their last 12 games, they have surpassed the predicted above/under line on nine occasions.

But with Draymond Green likely out until next week, Milwaukee will want to capitalise in his absence. Over their past ten outings, the reigning champions have scored a league-leading 124.4 points on a differential of +6.5. In that period Giannis Antetokounmpo has averaged 33.3 points, above the 30 he scored in a 118-99 defeat of the Warriors in January. 

We might see these two in the NBA Finals. The Warriors, at 8.6 for the championship, will trust Green’s return and their DNA can see them restored to full health. 

Recommended bets: Milwaukee on a handicap of -3.5 against Golden State

The Bucks host the Warriors in what could be a dress rehearsal for the NBA finals 

Dallas Mavericks @ Boston Celtics

Sunday 13 March, 7.30pm, Sky Sports Arena

Two teams on the rise square off in Sunday’s prime-timer with the Celtics and Mavericks trailing only the Phoenix Suns in win percentage since 2022 began. 

Boston possess the greater points differential of 11 in this calendar year while conceding 100.6 although Dallas too have truly hit their defensive stride.

Yet what lies beyond for the C's is fascinating. The Eastern Conference playoff scrap may be the finest in years with barely four games separating Miami in first place and Boston in fifth. 

The markets are giving the Green Machine just a 3% shot of a championship but the reality is that they have proved themselves worthy of being in the mix. The perfect team to throttle Luka Doncic and see off the Mavs perhaps by a narrow margin.

Recommended bets: Under 219 total points in Mavericks - Celtics

Recommended bets

San Antonio +6.5 @ 2.04 

Milwaukee -3.5 

Under 219 points in Mavericks-Celtics