Odds, best bets for Pelicans vs. Mavericks: Dance on ’em Jonas!

Jonas Valanciunas was absolutely feeling it in the New Orleans Pelicans’ recent win over the Los Angeles Clippers and this steal and dunk led to my favorite Antonio Daniels call of the year.

“Dance on ’em, Jonas!”

Jonas and the Pelicans put together a perfect first quarter on their way to routing the Clippers and suddenly have a pulse in the Western Conference. Pels’ fans finally had some reason to celebrate and those of use who bet on Jonas Valanciunas were dancing even more.

The Pelicans won 2-of-3 on a tough West road trip, and are getting Zion Williamson back soon, so some things are finally turning around for the Pels with a whole lot of season to go.

Which is why they can’t let down tonight against the Dallas Mavericks at home in the Smoothie King Center.

Here are the odds and my best bets for the Pelicans vs. Mavericks.

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Dallas Mavericks: Odds, spread, over/under

According to WynnBET, the Pelicans are three point underdogs at home against the Mavericks. This is the lowest spread in a long time, so the books must think that the Pels are starting to turn things around and have a chance to win this one at home.

The money lines are set at just +130 for the Pelicans and -150 for the Mavericks, so again, there is no heavy favorite in this one.

The over/under is listed at 214.

The Mavs are 10-9 overall and have lost two-in-a-row. Kristaps Porzingis is listed as questionable for the game and Willie Cauley-Stein is officially out.

The Pelicans have won 2-of-3, splitting with the Jazz on the road and beating the Clippers. They are 5-5 in their last 10 and starting so show signs of momentum. The offense was humming in the last game and they will try to keep it going.

I like the Pelicans to win this one outright, so would take the money line and the better odds. The Pelicans are coming off a red-hot shooting effort and I like them to keep it going at home. They eviscerated the Clippers’ defense (3rd in NBA) and should be able to do the same vs. Dallas (21st in NBA) at home.

The Pels haven’t beaten the over/under much this season, but I like them to do it tonight, so take the win and the over and ignore that I am a homer who is overlooking the very real possibility of a letdown game for the Pelicans.

Pelicans vs. Mavericks: Best daily fantasy bets

Keep dancing with Jonas Valanciunas until he gives you a reason not to, as he’s been one of the top-5 centers in the league in fantasy points per game.

He has also had some huge games against Dallas, recording double-digits in rebounds in the last five meetings dating back to his time in Memphis and if Porzingis is out, the Mavs will have a hard time containing JV in this one.

Josh Hart had a big game the last time these two teams played, putting up 22 points, six rebounds and five assists in the loss.

Brandon Ingram is always solid and his rebounding numbers have been boosting his overall value.

My low-cost play of the night is Willie Hernangomez, who has scored in double digits in four of the last five games and should do well against the Dallas backups.

How to watch

The tip-off is finally back to a reasonable time at 7:00 PM CT and you can watch on Bally Sports New Orleans as usual. The will be broadcast on ESPN 100.3 FM as well.