Mavericks vs. Spurs Wednesday NBA odds, props: Victor Wembanyama debuts as Rookie of the Year favorite, popular Defensive Player of the Year pick

Top pick Victor Wembanyama, arguably the most-hyped rookie since LeBron James, will make his highly anticipated NBA regular-season debut Wednesday night when Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks and Luka Doncic visit the San Antonio Spurs. Doncic is listed as questionable but is likely to play. The Spurs are +4 on the SportsLine consensus, and Wembanyama has over/under totals of 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.5 blocks at DraftKings.

Wembanyama has been the NBA Rookie of the Year favorite since the moment he was drafted and remains the -145 leader at BetMGM, but Oklahoma City's Chet Holmgren (+350) is taking the most tickets on that prop at 30.2%, while Portland's Scoot Henderson (+450) leads in handle at 27.5%. The surprise is on NBA Defensive of the Year odds. Wembanyama opened at +4000, was +2000 last week and is down to +1300 with the biggest money lean (21%) coming in on him. The 7-foot-4 Frenchman totaled 11 blocks in four preseason games and should make an immediate impact on that side of the ball despite clearly needing to bulk up.

"Everyone has their strength, and being physical [with me] is something I've seen my whole life, basically every time I stepped on a court for the last few years," Wembanyama said. "It's not something I'm afraid of. Quickness beats physicality when used correctly. It's really part of the game. I'm used to it."

The Spurs have not divulged their plans for Wembanyama's workload, both in terms of minutes per night and whether he might take games off here and there. The NBA cracking down on load management with the new player participation policy. Offshore book BetOnline lists him with an over/under of 65 games played, but the Over a -145 favorite. Wembanyama is one of a record 125 international players from 40 countries on opening night NBA rosters, including at least one international player on all 30 teams.

Former first-round pick Zach Collins is now the backup center and got a two-year extension recently ahead of Monday's deadline but is questionable for Wednesday with a non-COVID illness. He averaged 11.6 points and 6.4 rebounds last year.

Doncic has been dealing with some calf soreness and missed the final preseason game because of it, but should be good to go.

"[The calf is] better," Doncic said while speaking to reporters on Tuesday. "We don't know yet, honestly, [if I'll be able to play]. I've been practicing for two days now, so I feel pretty good, but we'll see how it feels tomorrow morning. I did everything [in practice]. I felt great yesterday, but we'll see. Two days of practice is different than two weeks of just lifting and shooting."

In 16 career games against the Spurs, Doncic is averaging 29.4 points, 9.1 assists and 8.3 rebounds. Center Dwight Powell is questionable with an illness, as is guard Jaden Hardy with an ankle. Dallas is 9-12 all-time in season-opening games played on the road.

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