Mavericks vs 76ers Prediction, Odds & Game Preview 3/16/2025

The Dallas Mavericks host the Philadelphia 76ers in what could be a make-or-break game for both struggling teams, with Dallas clinging to the final play-in spot while Philly sits six games out of contention.

Both squads enter the matchup severely short-handed - the Sixers missing their big three of Embiid, Maxey, and George, while Dallas continues without Irving and Davis - though emerging talents like Brandon Williams and Jeff Dowtin Jr. have shown flashes of brilliance amid the chaos.

The Mavericks look to defend home court at American Airlines Center against a 76ers team that took the first meeting this season in a tight 118-116 contest.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Philadelphia 76ers preview

The struggling 76ers head to Dallas for a Sunday afternoon clash that's got both teams desperate for a win, with Philly riding a brutal stretch of 15 losses in their last 17 games.

While both squads are dealing with significant injuries - the Sixers missing their big three of Embiid, Maxey, and George, while Dallas is without Irving and Davis - it's been former Maverick Quentin Grimes who's emerged as a bright spot for Philly, dropping 25+ points in four of his last five.

The Mavericks' defense has been a real concern lately, giving up 122+ points in five straight games, though veteran Klay Thompson has shown flashes of his old self with a couple of 26-point performances in recent outings.

Dallas's three-point shooting could be the difference-maker here - they're launching about 44 attempts per game and connecting at a solid 36.8% clip, which could spell trouble for a Sixers team that ranks 28th in perimeter defense.

The last time these teams met, Philly squeaked out a 118-116 win, but both squads look drastically different now with their depleted rosters.

Keep an eye on Spencer Dinwiddie, who's stepped up with 20+ point games twice in his last four outings, trying to fill the offensive void left by Irving's absence.

This matchup kicks off a brutal six-game road trip for the Sixers, who've dropped their last five away games and haven't exactly been road warriors this season.

With both teams struggling to find their footing and dealing with makeshift lineups, expect a scrappy affair that could come down to which depleted roster can simply put together enough healthy bodies to make a run.