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Mavericks vs. Kings prediction and odds for Friday, February 10 (Can Kyrie handle lone star duties?)

By Josh Yourish

Feb 8, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Dallas Mavericks bench reacts after guard Kyrie Irving (2) scores a three point basket against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Dallas Mavericks bench reacts after guard Kyrie Irving (2) scores a three point basket against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Luka Doncic needed a running-mate in Dallas and the Mavericks front office went out and got him one in the form of Kyrie Irving. Now, it’s just a waiting game to see one of the NBA’s newest and most interesting duos on the floor together. Luka Doncic is questionable for this game with a heel injury. Without him, Kyrie Irving led the Mavs to a 110-104 win over the Clippers with 24 points in his debut on Wednesday.

A year ago, it was the Sacramento Kings swinging a big trade for Domantas Sabonis and the Mavs would be happy with the outcome that the Kings have gotten. Sacramento is third in the West, 31-23. Dallas is a few games back in fourth.

Let’s get into the odds for this Western Conference matchup in northern California.

Mavericks vs. Kings odds, spread and total

Mavericks vs. Kings prediction and pick

The Kings have spent this week beating up on the Rockets, so this will be a step up in competition even if Luka is in street clothes. Though the Kings haven’t just been beating up on bad teams this year, they’re a legitimate playoff team in the West and I like their options better than the current construction in Dallas. Even with Kyrie on the floor, the Mavs needed to shoot 48.6% from three just to beat the Clippers by six.

It’s difficult to handicap this game with the potential for Luka to return, but here’s how I see it. Without him, Dallas won’t have enough scoring options to keep pace with Sacramento who has the No. 1 scoring offense in the NBA. If Luka does play, then Dallas will need to figure out how to share the ball between Kyrie and Luka. Doncic has gotten accustomed to dominating the ball this season and he’ll need to defer a little bit more.

The Kings are an elite offensive team and this season Dallas is 22nd in defensive rating. That’s not going to get better now that Dorian Finney-Smith is gone and Kyrie is out on the floor.

Follow all Josh Yourish’s bets HERE

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change