Dallas Mavericks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction 3/15/2026 Today’s NBA Picks

The Dallas Mavericks pay a visit to the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Rocket Arena on Sunday night. Here’s a Dallas Mavericks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers prediction. This article will include a Dallas Mavericks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers pick.

Dallas Mavericks Betting Preview 

The Dallas Mavericks have been in terrible shape, as they’ve lost 19 of their last 22 games overall and they will be looking to get some revenge after getting trampled by the Cavaliers in a 138-105 loss on Friday. Cooper Flagg led the team with 25 points and five assists on eight of 16 shooting, Naji Marshall added 17 points, and Max Christie chipped in with 12 points.

As a team, the Mavericks shot 44 percent from the field and nine of 33 from the 3-point line but they got off to a terrible start and could never recover after getting outscored by 38-21 in the first quarter. Things only got worse in the second half, where the Mavericks allowed 71 points to get completely blown out in the end. 

Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview 

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been in decent form, as they’ve won four of their last six games overall and they will be eager to stay hot after blowing past the Mavericks on Friday. Evan Mobley led the team with 29 points on 12 of 15 shooting, Donovan Mitchell added 24 points with eight assists on 11 of 16 shooting, and James Harden tallied 17 points with seven rebounds and seven assists.

As a team, the Cavaliers shot a sizzling 62 percent from the field and 18 of 38 from the 3-point line as they hit the ground running to storm out to an early lead before they exploded for 41 points in the third quarter to put the game to bed, allowing them to pull their starters early. 

Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win

• The Cavaliers have won each of their last 11 games at Rocket Arena against Southwest Division opponents that held a losing record.
• The Mavericks have lost each of their last nine road games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Mavericks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six day games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The favorites have covered the spread in six of the Mavericks’ last seven games.

Why the Dallas Mavericks will win

• The Cavaliers have lost each of their last four Sunday games as home favorites.
• The Mavericks have won two of their last three games as underdogs against Central Division opponents following a loss.
• The Mavericks have covered the spread in nine of their last 10 games on the first leg of a back-to-back against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven Sunday day games.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the Mavericks’ last six road games has gone UNDER the total points line.
• Seven of the Cavaliers’ last eight games at Rocket Arena have gone UNDER the total points line.

Cleveland Cavaliers Player Facts

• James Harden ranks 4th amongst qualified players for assists per game (8.1) this season.
• Evan Mobley ranks 4th amongst qualified players for blocks per game (1.8) this season.

Dallas Mavericks Player Facts

• Naji Marshall ranks 19th amongst qualified players for FG% (52.4%) this season.
• Max Christie ranks 22nd amongst qualified players for 3P% (40.4%) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Cavaliers rank 1st in the league for H2 points per game this season (61.0).
• The Cavaliers rank 1st in the league for Q4 win percentage this season (61.2%).
• The Mavericks rank 30th in the league for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (94.1).
• The Mavericks have used 38 different starting fives this season—the most in the league.

Dallas Mavericks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction

The Mavericks have listed Daniel Gafford and Klay Thompson as doubtful, with PJ Washington listed as questionable, while the Cavaliers have ruled out Craig Porter Jr., Jarrett Allen and Sam Merrill, with Jaylon Tyson listed as questionable. The Mavericks will be hoping to get some revenge after getting humbled by the Cavaliers on Friday, but it’s hard to see where they could improve on such short notice with the long list of injuries they’ve had to deal with.

The Cavaliers were heavy road favorites on Friday and they are massive favorites at home but I still don’t think it’s enough to sway me from taking the Cavaliers. Maybe the Mavericks get off to a better start and make things interesting early on, but they just can’t score enough unless Flagg and Marshall can carry their offense. With that being said, I am expecting another blowout win for the Cavaliers in this matchup.

Peter Tran's Pick: Cleveland -17.5