Mavericks vs Spurs Summer League Picks & Predictions
By Brady Trettenero in NBA Basketball
Published:
- The Spurs are one-point favorites over the Mavericks in Saturday’s Summer League matchup at 4:00 PM ET
- Cooper Flagg looks to bounce back after shooting 5-of-21 in his Dallas debut
- See below for my Mavericks vs Spurs picks and predictions, plus updated odds for Saturday’s Summer League showdown
Cooper Flagg called Thursday’s debut “one of the worst games of my life.” Now he gets a chance at redemption against a Spurs team that just obliterated Philadelphia by 41 points.
The stakes get higher with Dylan Harper expected to make his San Antonio debut. The No. 2 overall pick missed Thursday’s blowout win with a minor groin issue but should suit up for this Texas showdown.
Mavericks vs Spurs Summer League Picks
- Spurs -1 (-110 at Caesars)
- Under 174 (-105 at Caesars)
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The Spurs crushed Philly with a dominant shooting performance. They hit 51.4% from three-point range and dished out 26 assists in the 111-70 victory. That’s the kind of ball movement that wins Summer League games.
David Jones-Garcia has emerged as San Antonio’s breakout star. The G League product dropped 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting against the 76ers, including 4-of-5 from deep. He’s averaging over 20 points through four Summer League games and looks like a legitimate NBA prospect.
Summer League Shooting Comparison
Dallas struggled offensively despite the narrow win over LA. Flagg’s shooting woes (0-of-5 from three) were contagious as the Mavs hit just 32.1% from deep. They survived thanks to Ryan Nembhard’s 21 points and clutch fourth-quarter defense.
The concern for Dallas? Depth. Only nine players saw action against the Lakers, and the offense looked stagnant when Nembhard sat. He’s their only proven ballhandler, which explains why Jason Kidd wants to experiment with Flagg at point guard.
San Antonio’s chemistry advantage is massive. They’ve played four games together counting the California Classic. That cohesion showed in their 26 assists against Philly, which is more than double what the 76ers managed.
Carter Bryant provides exactly what this Spurs team needs. The 14th pick blocked three shots Thursday and was directing traffic on defense like a veteran. His shooting (1-of-6) needs work, but his defensive instincts are already NBA-ready.
If Harper plays, San Antonio gets another dynamic creator. The Rutgers product averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists last season while shooting 48.4% from the field. That’s efficient production the Mavs can’t match beyond Flagg.
Mavericks vs Spurs Predictions
History suggests Flagg will bounce back. Victor Wembanyama struggled in his Summer League debut two years ago before dominating Game 2. The question is whether Dallas has enough around him.
The Spurs have multiple creators in Jones-Garcia, Jameer Nelson Jr., and potentially Harper. They’re moving the ball and getting quality looks. Dallas is too reliant on individual creation from Flagg and Nembhard.
The total feels high at 174 given Dallas’ offensive struggles. They managed just 87 points against the Lakers despite playing at a decent pace. San Antonio’s defense showed improvement Thursday, holding Philly to 36.8% shooting.
Take the Spurs and the under. San Antonio’s experience edge and superior depth should control this game. They’ve already proven they can dominate Summer League competition, while Dallas is still finding its identity.
Mavericks vs Spurs Odds
This line is essentially a pick’em with the Spurs laying just one point. The market respects both teams equally despite San Antonio’s dominant Thursday performance. Sharp money appears to be on the under, with the total dropping from earlier projections.
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Odds as of July 12 at Caesars. Get the Caesars promo code before wagering on Summer League.
Lead NHL & NCAAF Editor
Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.
