The Cooper Flagg era has begun for the Dallas Mavericks, and it’s fitting that it kicks off against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
Both teams are pegged as fringe playoff contenders in the loaded Western Conference, but their upside is off the charts, and my Spurs vs. Mavericks predictions expect Flagg to live up to the hype in tonight's debut.
Check out my NBA picks ahead of this must-see battle on Wednesday, October 22.
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Spurs vs Mavericks prediction
Spurs vs Mavericks best bet: Cooper Flagg Over 10.5 rebounds + assists (+104)
It won’t take long for Cooper Flagg to serve up highlight plays. This is the perfect combination of an NBA-ready rookie and a team in need of his all-around skill set, and I expect Flagg to be a central figure for the Dallas Mavericks.
There’s going to be no ramp-up period for the No. 1 pick this year, with the Mavs desperate for all the ball-handling they can get to fill the Kyrie Irving void. But Flagg is built for this, and I’m taking the Over on his rebounds + assists combo here.
Jason Kidd has hinted at handing Flagg a share of the point guard duties until Irving returns to action, and he’ll have a size advantage against Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Dylan Harper, and the rest of the San Antonio Spurs backcourt options.
With Victor Wembanyama patrolling the paint, I expect Flagg to use his drive-and-kick game to create outside looks for Klay Thompson, as well as leading the break when the Mavs can get out in transition.
At the other end of the floor, he’s a natural fit to clean the glass when the Dallas bigs are guarding Wemby on the perimeter.
Flagg stuffed the box score at Duke, averaging 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game in just over 30 minutes a night, and I see those totals translating to the NBA just fine.
Spurs vs Mavericks same-game parlay
On a night where the Spurs will face a conveyor belt of long-armed Mavs, Wemby is going to need to be special around the rim, and I like his chances of eclipsing his rebounding total. He averaged 11 boards per game last year in 33.2 minutes.
I’ll take the Under, too, which was 14-9 for the Mavs as home favorites last season. The length on the court tonight is going to be unreal, especially if the hosts turn to their ultra-big lineup of Flagg, Davis, Thompson, P.J. Washington, and Dereck Lively II.
At the same time, the offenses could be clunky, especially as Dallas continues to adjust to life without Kyrie and San Antonio missing De’Aaron Fox.
Spurs vs Mavericks SGP
- Cooper Flagg Over 10.5 rebounds + assists
- Under 225
- Victor Wembanyama Over 11.5 rebounds
Our "from downtown" SGP: King of the Castle
As imposing as the Mavs should be defensively, there are legit concerns about how they’ll slow down crafty guards.
Castle is coming off an impressive first season in San Antonio that netted him the Rookie of the Year award, and he’s got a nice runway to big totals while Fox recovers from a hamstring injury.
Spurs vs Mavericks SGP
- Cooper Flagg Over 10.5 rebounds + assists
- Under 225
- Victor Wembanyama Over 11.5 rebounds
- Stephon Castle Over 16.5 points
Spurs vs Mavericks odds
- Spread: San Antonio +2.5 (-110) | Dallas -2.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: San Antonio +120 | Dallas -140
- Over/Under: Over 225 (-110) | Under 225 (-110)
Spurs vs Mavericks betting trend to know
The Mavs have won seven of their last eight matchups against the Spurs, covering the spread in six of those victories. Find more NBA betting trends for Spurs vs. Mavericks.
How to watch Spurs vs Mavericks
| Location | American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX |
| Date | Tuesday, October 22, 2025 |
| Tip-off | 9:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
Spurs vs Mavericks latest injuries
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