PRO BASKETBALL — April 18
SAN ANTONIO at DALLAS
Western Conference Playoffs
(Mavericks -4, Total 194) — [private] This is the first time that the Mavericks have had the first-round home court advantage over the Spurs, but last year Dallas eliminated San Antonio in five games anyway. The Mavericks were very hot during the second half of the season, and in fact won 23 of their last 29 games, but they were just 9-28 ATS when laying points at home. One of the question marks for the Spurs has to be George Hill, who has been slowed considerably with an ankle problem. Acquiring Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood has allowed Dallas to show more depth, and they are probably going to have an advantage at point guard with Jason Kidd over the tandem of Hill and Tony Parker, who is back after sitting out with the broken hand. Dallas has won and covered six of the last seven meetings between these teams, and there isn’t such a big disparity in defensive potency between these teams as there used to be. We recognize Dallas’ home ATS record, but this would appear a reasonable number.
THE PLAY: DALLAS -4 **
(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)
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