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NBA weekend betting preview: Mavericks, Bucks in for track meet

Gary Dineen / National Basketball Association / Getty

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This weekend's NBA card is loaded with juicy matchups.

The Dallas Mavericks and Milwaukee Bucks meet for a star-studded clash on Friday, which is followed by a meeting between the Los Angeles Clippers and Sacramento Kings. That'll take us into the weekend, which features a grand total of 13 more games.

With plenty of betting opportunities this weekend, here's what to look for.

Mavericks at Bucks (-6, 227); Jan. 15, 7:30 p.m. ET

The two MVP front-runners meet when Luka Doncic (+400) and the Mavericks take on Giannis Antetokounmpo (+500) and the Bucks. Bettors should expect a fast-paced track meet.

Milwaukee tops the league in offensive efficiency, and it's not close.

Rank Team Offensive Efficiency
1 Bucks 116.3
2 Nuggets 113.6
3 Clippers 113.6
4 Nets 112.9
5 Trail Blazers 112.6

The Mavericks are averaging 113.3 points per game over the last three following a slow start. With Kristaps Porzingis back in the fold, this offense should continue to trend upward - after all, it ranked No. 1 in efficiency last season.

Over 227 is a strong look.

Clippers at Kings (+7, 231); 10:30 p.m.

The Clippers have been undervalued away from home of late, covering 15 of the last 20. They're laying seven here against a Kings team that can't get out of its own way.

Sacramento put up 126 points on Wednesday night and still didn't cover as a five-point underdog. The Kings are on a dreadful 1-6 run against the spread, in large part due to a defense that ranks just No. 20 in the league in efficiency.

L.A. has owned this series, cashing eight of the last 10 overall and four straight in Sacramento.

Rockets at Spurs (NA); Jan. 16, 5 p.m.

The Houston Rockets were the centerpiece of this week's drama after trading away James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets in a multi-team blockbuster. The first test for the club is locking down a red-hot San Antonio Spurs offense.

After dropping four consecutive games, San Antonio's gone over its team total in four of the last five, all of which came on the road. The Spurs have owned the Rockets of late, covering three straight spreads.

Cavaliers at Wizards (NA); Jan. 17, 2 p.m.

How low must a total be for bettors to play a Cleveland Cavaliers over right now?

Cleveland went over the total in its first two games but cashed 10 straight unders since then.

Just as Milwaukee raced out to a big lead in offensive efficiency, Cleveland's stuck in quicksand.

Rank Team Offensive Efficiency
26 Pistons 103.8
27 Grizzlies 102.8
28 Knicks 102.0
29 Thunder 101.9
30 Cavaliers 98.1

Perhaps the Washington Wizards' defense is the perfect slump-buster for the Cavaliers. Washington owns the third-worst efficiency clip in the league, plays at the fastest pace, and has cashed six of the last seven overs.

Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.

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