Saturday, February 25, 2017

American Airlines Center

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The New Orleans Pelicans travel to American Airlines Center to play the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, February 25, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has New Orleans as 1 point favorites.

The Pelicans come into this game with an overall record of 23-35. They are 4th in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of -3.6 as they are averaging 103.3 points per game while giving up 106.9 per contest. The Mavericks have an overall record of 22-34. They currently are 5th in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 98.1 points per game and surrendering 100.4, good for a point differential of -2.3.

Demarcus Cousins comes into this contest averaging 27.8 points per game while playing 34.4 minutes per night so far this season for the Pelicans. He pulls down 10.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is currently at 77%. Anthony Davis averages 27.7 points per game in 36.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.2 assists per contest and 11.9 rebounds per game for New Orleans. His field goal percentage is 50% for the year while his free throw percentage is 80%.

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Wesley Matthews averages 15.3 points per game while playing 35.4 minutes per contest this year for the Mavericks. He grabs 3.6 rebounds per game and has 2.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage currently is at 81%. Harrison Barnes averages 20.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.3 rebounds per contest and 1.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 84%.

New Orleans averages 103.3 points per contest this season which ranks them 21st in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -3.6 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them ranked 21st. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 20th in the league. They average 43.9 rebounds per game and 22.6 assists per game which ranks them 13th and 13th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 25th with 13.1 per game. The Pelicans allow 106.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 23rd in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 7th and 8th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 48.5 rebounds a game which ranks 30th and they give up 23.5 assists per contest which puts them in 24th place in the league. They force 13.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 13th in the league.

Dallas averages 98.1 points per game this year which ranks them 30th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -2.29 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team which has them sitting in the 25th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 16th in the NBA. They average 38.3 rebounds per game and 20.3 assists per contest which ranks them 30th and 27th respectively. In the turnover department the Mavericks rank 30th with 11.6 per game. The Mavericks allow 100.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 4th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 39% average from behind the arc ranking them 26th and 29th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 44.4 rebounds a game which ranks 20th and they give up 20.5 assists per contest which puts them in 4th place in the league. The Mavericks force 15.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 24th in the NBA.

The Pelicans have an offensive rating of 104 and a defensive rating of 107.6. In terms of pace they average 98.1 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 50%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they shoot 3 pointers on 31% of their shots. New Orleans turns the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions and they force 12.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%.

The Mavericks rating on offense is 106.2 and they have a defensive rating of 108.7. They get 91.7 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 51%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they attempt 3 pointers on 36% of their shot attempts. Dallas turns the ball over on 11.4 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 14.7 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 53%.

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 27-30-1 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 27-31-0 against the over/under

Dallas Mavericks Betting Trends

The Dallas Mavericks are 30-26-0 against the spread

The Dallas Mavericks are 24-32-0 against the over/under

New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/22/16 F Quincy Pondexter Knee out indefinitely
02/24/17 F Omri Casspi Hand expected to miss 4-6 weeks
02/24/17 C Omer Asik Illness "?" Saturday vs. Dallas

Dallas Mavericks Injuries

02/23/17 C Nerlens Noel Acquired "?" Friday vs. Minnesota
01/21/17 PG Jose Juan Barea Calf out indefinitely

Guy's Pick: Take Dallas +1

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