Heat Visit Mavericks Amidst Injury Concerns; Capitals Eye Sixth Straight Win as Sharks Host; Top-25 CBB Clash Highlights December 3 Sports Slate

Wednesday, December 3, presents a robust schedule across the National Basketball Association (NBA), National Hockey League (NHL), and collegiate basketball, featuring high-stakes matchups and intriguing narratives for fans and analysts alike. The day’s action is headlined by an NBA showdown between the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks, an NHL clash featuring the surging Washington Capitals against the surprising San Jose Sharks, and a significant NCAA men’s basketball contest pitting No. 6 Louisville against No. 25 Arkansas.

NBA: Miami Heat vs. Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks (7-15) are set to host the Miami Heat (14-7) at 8:30 p.m. ET at American Airlines Center. Dallas enters this contest with a newfound momentum, having secured back-to-back victories for the first time this season, following a 131-121 triumph over the Denver Nuggets on Monday. This win capped a four-game road trip with a split, providing a much-needed boost for a team that has struggled for consistency.

A pivotal factor in the Mavericks’ recent success has been the return and immediate impact of a veteran forward, who delivered a game-high 32 points and pulled down 13 rebounds against Denver. This marked his seventh game of the season and only his second since returning from a knee injury that had sidelined him for 14 contests. The 32-year-old forward’s performance underscores his undeniable talent and ability to lead the team, though his historical durability has been a recurring concern for the Mavericks. His continued presence and production will be crucial as Dallas aims to climb out of the lower half of the Western Conference standings. Alongside him, Luka Doncic continues to be the primary engine of the Mavericks’ offense, orchestrating plays and consistently delivering high-scoring performances. The supporting cast, including players like Kyrie Irving (if healthy and available) and Dereck Lively II, will need to maintain their contributions to sustain Dallas’s offensive rhythm and defensive effort.

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Conversely, the Miami Heat arrive in Dallas looking to initiate another winning streak. Miami recently defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 140-123 on Monday, bouncing back after their impressive six-game winning run was brought to an end by the Detroit Pistons two days prior. The Heat, known for their disciplined defense and opportunistic offense, have established themselves as one of the Eastern Conference’s top contenders. Led by their core of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro, Miami’s tactical approach often involves stifling opponents with aggressive defense and converting turnovers into fast-break points. Their depth and veteran leadership have been key to navigating a demanding schedule.

The upcoming game carries additional intrigue as the two teams met less than two weeks ago in Miami, with the Heat securing a 106-102 victory in a relatively low-scoring affair. This historical context suggests that Wednesday’s rematch could also be a grind, focusing on defensive execution and efficiency.

From a betting perspective, the Miami Heat are currently favored by 5.5 points against the Mavericks in the latest consensus NBA odds. The projected total for the game is set at 240.5 points. SportsLine’s projection model anticipates a lower-scoring contest, with the Under hitting in more than 61% of its simulations. The model highlights that while the Heat’s last two games have exceeded their projected totals, only two of the Mavericks’ previous eight contests have done so. Additionally, SportsLine NBA expert Mike Barner, who has a strong record on player prop picks, recommends betting on a specific Mavericks rookie to exceed 6.5 rebounds. This unnamed young player has demonstrated a strong presence on the boards, securing at least seven rebounds in each of his last six outings, including the prior matchup against Miami.

Beyond this marquee matchup, eight other games are scheduled on Wednesday’s NBA slate, contributing to a busy night for professional basketball enthusiasts.

NHL: Washington Capitals vs. San Jose Sharks & Utah Hockey Club vs. Anaheim Ducks

The NHL schedule features five contests on Wednesday, with two particularly notable matchups. The Washington Capitals (16-9-2) will face the San Jose Sharks (13-11-3) at 10 p.m. ET at the SAP Center, while the Utah Hockey Club takes on the Anaheim Ducks.

The Washington Capitals arrive in San Jose in formidable form, riding a five-game winning streak and boasting eight victories in their last nine contests. This impressive run has been built on a solid defensive foundation, with the Capitals allowing a mere eight goals in total during their current streak. Led by future Hall of Famer Alex Ovechkin and supported by key players like Evgeny Kuznetsov and John Carlson, Washington has re-established itself as a dominant force in the Eastern Conference. This game marks a continuation of their four-game road trip, and they will be playing on consecutive nights after securing a 3-1 victory in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The San Jose Sharks, meanwhile, have been one of the league’s most surprising teams this season. After recording 20 or fewer wins in each of the last two seasons, their current 13-11-3 record represents a significant turnaround. While they started the season 0-3-2 at home, they have since transformed the SAP Center into a fortress, going 9-1-1 in their last 11 home games. This home-ice dominance is particularly striking given their recent history, having managed only 12 home wins last campaign, 11 in 2023-24, and just eight the season prior. San Jose is coming off a convincing 6-3 home triumph over the Utah Hockey Club on Monday.

The betting odds reflect Washington’s strong form, with the Capitals listed as -155 favorites on the money line. However, the Sharks are favored to cover the spread at +1.5 (-190). SportsLine expert Bruce Marshall, who has demonstrated a strong track record on NHL picks, is backing the Sharks to secure a money line victory, citing their impressive home record and the Capitals playing on the second night of a back-to-back. The SportsLine Projection Model further supports San Jose’s chances, predicting them to cover the spread in 75% of its simulations.

In another Western Conference matchup, the Utah Hockey Club (referred to as "Mammoth" in some prior reports) faces the Anaheim Ducks at 10 p.m. ET in Anaheim. The Utah team began their season strongly, winning eight of their first 10 games, but have since experienced a downturn, losing 13 of their last 17 contests (4-10-3) and their last four overall.

The Anaheim Ducks, conversely, have shown resilience, alternating wins and losses over their last seven games (4-3-0). Their home record at the Honda Center has been particularly impressive this campaign, standing at 9-3-0, placing them atop the Pacific Division standings. The Ducks previously edged the Utah Hockey Club 3-2 in overtime when the teams met in Anaheim on November 17. In that game, emerging talent Beckett Sennecke set up defenseman Olen Zellweger’s winning goal, initiating Sennecke’s current eight-game point streak, which equals the franchise record for a rookie, a mark set by Hall-of-Famer Paul Kariya in the 1994-95 season. The SportsLine Projection Model favors the Ducks to prevail again on home ice, with its simulations showing them winning 58% of the time.

College Basketball: No. 6 Louisville vs. No. 25 Arkansas

Wednesday’s college basketball slate is highlighted by a significant showdown between two ranked teams: No. 6 Louisville (7-0) and No. 25 Arkansas (5-2). This highly anticipated game is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and will be broadcast on ESPN.

Louisville enters the contest with an unblemished 7-0 record, having dominated their early season schedule. This game represents their first true road test of the season, a crucial benchmark for any top-ranked team. The Cardinals have showcased an explosive offense, averaging an impressive 96.7 points per game, while also maintaining a strong defensive presence, allowing an average of just 63.0 points per contest. Their balanced attack and disciplined play have positioned them as a formidable contender in the national landscape.

Arkansas, while not undefeated, has demonstrated exceptional strength on their home court, holding a perfect 5-0 record at Bud Walton Arena this campaign. Their overall record stands at 5-2, reflecting a challenging non-conference schedule. The Razorbacks boast a potent offense, averaging 88.1 points per game, but have been somewhat more permissive defensively, giving up 71.6 points per game. Their passionate home crowd and aggressive style of play make them a tough opponent, especially in Fayetteville.

The latest consensus college basketball odds list Louisville as a 3.5-point favorite against Arkansas. The projected total for the game is set at 165.5 points. The SportsLine Projection Model strongly leans towards the Under in this matchup, with its simulations indicating a sub-165.5 point total in more than 71% of outcomes. This prediction is supported by the fact that four of seven games for both the Cardinals and Razorbacks have finished Under their projected totals this season, and Louisville’s last three contests have all seen fewer than 152 combined points scored. Despite the high-scoring averages of both teams, the model suggests a more defensive-minded battle or a slower pace, potentially influenced by the high stakes of a ranked matchup.

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