Dallas Mavericks vs Milwaukee Bucks Preview & Prediction

Two teams with early-season questions meet in Dallas on November 10. The Mavericks are dealing with a raft of injuries and inconsistent offense, while the Bucks have been up and down and are coming off a tight loss. Here’s a clear look at how this one could play out.

Team form and injury update

Dallas has struggled to find consistency so far, managing only three wins in ten games. A long injury list has forced bench players into bigger roles and the offense has suffered as a result. Kyrie Irving remains out, Dante Exum is unavailable, and bigs Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford have missed multiple games or are listed as questionable. DeAngelo Russell hasn’t hit the expected level yet, while P.J. Washington has been a reliable scoring option.

Defensively the Mavericks haven’t been shabby — their numbers suggest they can still limit opponents — but without steady offensive firepower they look vulnerable on nights when shots aren’t falling.

Milwaukee has been streaky, alternating wins and losses and sitting around a solid but imperfect record. They lost a close game to Houston in their most recent outing, a game in which free-throw misses and late breakdowns were costly. Giannis Antetokounmpo had a big scoring night but missed key free throws down the stretch. Role players like Ryan Rollins and Myles Turner have shown they can contribute, but the Bucks need more consistent supporting offense to avoid tight finishes.

Head-to-head and game outlook

Recent meetings have favored Milwaukee overall, with Dallas claiming just one win in the last five matchups. Matchups inside and on the glass will matter — if Dallas can keep the pace slow and rely on its defense, they stay competitive. If Milwaukee gets hot from three or the free-throw line, they tilt the game in their favor.

Both teams enter with concerns: Dallas with injuries and offensive rhythm, Milwaukee with late-game execution and occasional scoring gaps. Fatigue could also be a factor for Milwaukee if this is a quick turnaround from their previous game.

Prediction

Given Dallas’s limited offensive options and Milwaukee’s recent struggles to finish games cleanly, this one looks like a lower-scoring affair. Expect both teams to play carefully late and for defenses to have an edge.

Tip-off: Monday, 8:30 p.m. EST, November 10, 2025
Prediction: Under 232.5 points