Mavericks vs. Spurs Wednesday NBA injury report, odds, pick: Spread rises slightly with Jakob Poeltl ruled out (COVID); Kristaps Porzingis may play

The Dallas Mavericks are at a bit of a disadvantage tonight when they visit the rival San Antonio Spurs because it's the second game in 24 hours for the Mavs, but they are now 2-point favorites at Caesars Sportsbook (up from a pick'em) because San Antonio will be without perhaps its best player and one of the NBA's most underrated centers in Jakob Poeltl. Meanwhile, Dallas is hopeful its top big man, Kristaps Porzingis, can return after missing four games. Click here for model picks on the game.

I'm not saying Poeltl is Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic or Rudy Gobert, but he's at the top of the next tier down among the NBA's top centers. Poeltl is averaging 13.9 points on 64.8 percent shooting along with 9.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists this season. Per ESPN's Player Efficiency Rating, Poeltl's number of 22.49 is No. 28 in the NBA. From a Fantasy basketball perspective, he has also been a beast.

Alas, Poeltl has entered the NBA's health and safety protocols, so he's out a minimum of tonight. The Austrian will have to either return consecutive negative PCR tests 24 hours apart or wait at least 10 days before he can return to the court. There seems to be a bit of a COVID issue running through the league right now – and the NFL as the Packers can attest with Aaron Rodgers out this week.

It is possible that San Antonio gets three-point shooter Doug McDermott back tonight. He has missed the past three with knee inflammation and is questionable. McDermott is averaging 11.5 points.

As for Porzingis, he has been out with lower back tightness but coach Jason Kidd said on Tuesday after the "Unicorn" was ruled out vs. Miami that he was hopeful Porzingis would play Wednesday. He's questionable. Dallas was beaten by the visiting Heat on Tuesday 125-110. Luka Doncic scored a season-high 33 points for the Mavericks and Jalen Brunson had a season-high 25 points. Brunson started in a small lineup with Porzingis and fellow big man Maxi Kleber out – Kleber will not play Wednesday.

Dallas beat visiting San Antonio 104-99 on Oct. 28. Doncic scored 10 of his game-high 25 points in the fourth quarter. Brunson added 19 points for the Mavs. Dejounte Murray (23 points and 10 rebounds) and Poeltl (14 points and 13 rebounds) had double-doubles for the Spurs, who led 25-5 early. Dallas has now taken six of the last eight meetings in the series. The Mavericks are 8-1 ATS in their past nine in San Antonio.

This writer is backing the Mavericks with the hope of Porzingis back and no Poeltl. Dallas has covered six straight following a double-digit loss.

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