Mavericks vs. Warriors prediction, odds, key players to watch for NBA Cup group stage

Klay Thompson returns to Golden State on Tuesday night when the Dallas Mavericks face Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors in NBA Cup Group Play.

After winning four titles in Golden State, Thompson signed with Dallas this offseason, reshaping the Warriors roster in the process. The move was done as a sign-and-trade that helped the Warriors land Kyle Anderson and Buddy Hield – two key role players for them this season.

Golden State is off to a quick 8-2 start, and it upset the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, Dallas lost a second straight game and fell to 5-5 on Sunday.

It should be an emotional night for Warriors fans and Thompson, but who will win?

I have a breakdown of odds, players to watch and my prediction for this NBA Cup showdown.

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

Spread

Moneyline

Total

Mav’s injury report

Warriors injury report

Dallas Mavericks

Klay Thompson: The four-time champion has gotten off to a bit of a slow start in Dallas, shooting just 8-for-26 over his last two games. Overall, he is averaging 13.8 points per game. game while shooting 41.8 percent from the field and 35.4 percent from 3. Can he have a big game in front of the Golden State crowd?

Golden State Warriors

Steph Curry: An ankle injury cost Curry a few games early this season, but he turned in a vintage Steph performance in Sunday’s win over OKC. Curry had 36 points and hit 7-of-13 shots from beyond the arc in the win. Overall, he is averaging 22.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game while shooting 43.5 percent from 3 this season.

Golden State’s defense has been a big story so far, ranking as the No. 4 in the NBA through their first 10 games.

While the Warriors don’t have an All-NBA defender who jumps off the sideline, Gary Payton II, Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, De’Anthony Melton and others give Golden State plenty of options to defend other guards and wings — like Doncic, Irving and Thompson Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Mavs have been without two key rotation pieces in PJ Washington (questionable for this game) and Dereck Lively II (upgraded to questionable for this game).

Dallas has dropped back-to-back games and is just 1-2 on the road, going 4-5-1 against the spread overall. Meanwhile, the Warriors are 8-2 against the spread and 2-1 ATS at home, potentially showing that this start isn’t a fluke since they’ve won so often on the road.

This will be an emotional game for Thompson and Warriors fans, but I think Golden State will ruin his return — especially if Lively doesn’t play.

Pick: Warriors Moneyline (-142)

Odds are updated regularly and are subject to change.

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Find Peter Dewey’s NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays BetStamp here.