Spurs vs. Mavericks Thursday NBA injury report, odds: Dallas has easiest schedule remaining, giving most points of season tonight

The Dallas Mavericks come out of the All-Star break at 31-29 and in sixth place in the Western Conference. That they finish in the top six slots and avoid the play-in tournament seems likely not just because of the Kyrie Irving trade, but also due to the Mavs having the NBA's easiest strength of schedule down the stretch. That's on display tonight against tanking and short-handed San Antonio, which is a 14-point underdog at Caesars Sportsbook and on a 14-game losing streak.

This is the first time since April 8, 2022, that Dallas is at least a 14-point favorite. That night it was -19.5 at home against Portland and won by 30. The Mavs are only 3-7 ATS in their past 10, though, as at least 14-point favorites. Their lone outright loss in that stretch was on Nov. 24, 2014, when they were -14 at home vs. Indiana and the Pacers won 111-100.

The Mavericks' 22 remaining opponents have a combined winning percentage of just .466, easily the worst in the NBA. Thursday's game is one of games left against San Antonio, and Dallas also gets Charlotte twice. By comparison, the toughest schedule left belongs to Philly, with its opponents combining for a .540 winning percentage.

Dallas has an updated season win total of over/under of 45.5 at DraftKings with the Under a short favorite. It is a massive -1100 favorite to make the playoffs, which means getting past the play-in tournament, and +700 to miss. To participate in the play-in, Dallas is +290. The Mavs are favored at +300 to finish as the No. 4 seed. They are 1.5 games behind the fourth-place Clippers.

Other than Maxi Kleber and Davis Bertans, who have been out for weeks, the Mavs are healthy entering Thursday's contest. Irving, who sat out Dallas' final game before the All-Star break, did play in Sunday's midseason classic and will suit up.

It's no secret that San Antonio's goal is to finish with one of the NBA's three worst records to share in the best chance to win the draft lottery and to select mega-prospect Victor Wembanyama. Thus, the Spurs won't hesitate to sit players even if they're only slightly injured. I'm not saying any of these players are sitting for that reason, but Devin Vassell, Romeo Langford and Khem Birch are out, while Treo Jones is doubtful and Jeremy Sochan questionable.

The Mavericks have won the past five in this series. The lone meeting so far this season was on New Year's Eve with the Mavs prevailing 126-125 at home. Luka Doncic scored 51 points. Doncic is averaging 29.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game in 15 career outings against the Spurs.

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