Dallas Mavericks’ Monta Ellis (11) drives to the basket between San Antonio Spurs’ Matt Bonner, left, and Tim Duncan, right, during the first quarter of Game 1 of the opening-round NBA basketball playoff series, Sunday, April 20, 2014, in San Antonio.
By Case Keefer (contact)
Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014 | 1:15 p.m.
The first year of the South Point-lined Play of the Day will end with only one competitor proving profitable.
It’s not the standing we wanted, but leaves us with something to shoot for in 2015: Getting everyone over the $10,000 starting bankroll.
Dallas Mavericks minus-5 vs. Washington Wizards: $440 to win $400
Dallas may have stumbled on something brilliant two nights ago. With Tyson Chandler sore and sitting out, the Mavericks channeled the heyday Miami Heat and played small ball against the Thunder.
The results were encouraging. Chandler Parsons and Dirk Nowitzki were disruptive in the paint and sped up Dallas’ already fast-paced offense, leading to a 112-107 victory as 2-point favorites.
Chandler playing tonight is much preferable, especially with a Washington frontcourt of Marcin Gortat and Nene, but it’s nice to know the Mavericks can get by without him.
The Wizards have won and covered in three in a row, but they’re in night two of the dreaded Texas/Oklahoma City gauntlet. Streaks don’t ever extend easily on back-to-backs, but going from a physically demanding 104-103 victory at Houston last night to Dallas tonight is extra daunting.
Records-wise, Washington is a game better than Dallas. But that’s misleading, as the Mavericks are five spots ahead in efficiency differential —No. 4 in the NBA to No. 9 — largely because of the NBA’s second-best offense.
They’ll excel tonight regardless of who plays.
Standings: Bern (61-52-1, $11,526), Keefer (55-60-2, $8,327), Brewer (53-58-3, $5,505)
Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected] . Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.
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