Dallas Mavericks at Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Picks & Predictions 12/31/2017

Sunday, December 31, 2017

Chesapeake Energy Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Dallas Mavericks travel to Chesapeake Energy Arena to play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, December 31, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Oklahoma City as 7 point favorites.

The Mavericks head into this matchup with a mark of 12-25. They are 4th in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of -2.5 as they are averaging 100.6 points per contest while giving up 103.1 per game. The Thunder have an overall record of 20-16. They currently are 2nd in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 103.3 points per game and surrendering 100.1, good for a point differential of 3.2.

Valuable Dallas Mavericks Betting Trends

The Dallas Mavericks are 18-18-1 against the spread

The Dallas Mavericks are 16-21-0 against the over/under

Important Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 13-22-1 against the spread

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 14-22-0 against the over/under

Key Dallas Mavericks Injuries

12/06/17 F Nerlens Noel Thumb is out indefinitely
11/14/17 F Dorian Finney-Smith Knee is out indefinitely
10/07/17 G Seth Curry Stress Fracture is out indefinitely

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

12/30/17 F Paul George Knee is "?" Sunday vs Dallas

Player Spotlight

Wesley Matthews comes into this contest averaging 11.8 points per game while playing 34.2 minutes per night so far this season for the Mavericks. He pulls down 3.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 40% while his free throw percentage is currently at 82%. Harrison Barnes averages 18.3 points per game in 34.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2 assists per contest and 6.7 rebounds per game for Dallas. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%.

Player Spotlight

Russell Westbrook averages 24.5 points per game while playing 36.4 minutes per contest this year for the Thunder. He grabs 9.5 rebounds per game and has 10 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage currently is at 72%. Paul George averages 20.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 37.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.7 rebounds per contest and 3.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

Dallas averages 100.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 26th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -2.49 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 22nd. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 14th in the league. They average 40.8 rebounds per game and 22.1 assists per game, which ranks them 25th and 19th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 30th with 13.2 per game. The Mavericks allow 103.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 10th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 17th and 15th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.9 rebounds a game which ranks 25th and they give up 22.5 assists per contest, which puts them in 15th place in the league. They force 14 turnovers per game which ranks them 8th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Oklahoma City is 21st in the league with 103.3 points per game this year. They are 24th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 3.19. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 22nd in the NBA. They are 12th in the league in rebounding with 44.1 boards per game, and 24th in assists per contest with 20.8. The Thunder are 13th in turnovers per game with 14.7. The Thunder surrender 100.1 points per contest, which ranks them 3rd in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 7th and 9th in those defensive statistics. They rank 9th with 21.6 assists allowed per contest and 5th with 41.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Thunder are 30th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 17.1 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Mavericks are 21st in the NBA in offensive rating with 105.6, and their defensive rating of 108.2 is ranked 14th. In terms of pace they are 25th in the league with 95 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 16th. As a team they are 20th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 5th in the league. Dallas is 28th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 10th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Oklahoma City is 21st in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 18th in the NBA. The Thunder are 15th in the league in defensive rating with 104.3, and their offensive rating of 107.6 is ranked 26th. They are 26th in the NBA in pace with 94.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 23rd. As a unit they are 25th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shot attempts, ranking 19th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Mavericks/Thunder NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Oklahoma City -7

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