Phoenix Suns at Dallas Mavericks NBA Picks & Predictions 12/18/2017

Monday, December 18, 2017

American Airlines Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Phoenix Suns travel to American Airlines Center to play the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, December 18, 2017.

The Suns head into this matchup with a mark of 10-21. They are 4th in the Pacific Division. They currently have a point differential of -7.5 as they are averaging 106.7 points per contest while giving up 114.2 per game. The Mavericks have an overall mark of 8-22. They currently are 5th in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 99.7 points per contest and giving up 103.1, which is a point differential of -3.4.

Valuable Phoenix Suns Betting Trends

The Phoenix Suns are 15-15-1 against the spread

The Phoenix Suns are 17-14-0 against the over/under

Important Dallas Mavericks Betting Trends

The Dallas Mavericks are 14-15-1 against the spread

The Dallas Mavericks are 12-18-0 against the over/under

Key Phoenix Suns Injuries

12/06/17 SG Devin Booker Groin is out indefinitely
10/14/17 PG Brandon Knight Knee is out for season

Key Dallas Mavericks Injuries

12/11/17 PG Dennis Smith Jr. Hip is out indefinitely
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

Player Spotlight

T.J. Warren comes into this contest averaging 18.5 points per game while playing 31.4 minutes per night so far this season for the Suns. He pulls down 5.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage is currently at 78%. Mike James averages 10.8 points per game in 21.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.9 assists per contest and 2.9 rebounds per game for Phoenix. His field goal percentage is 39% for the year while his free throw percentage is 76%.

Player Spotlight

Wesley Matthews averages 12 points per game while playing 34.5 minutes per contest this year for the Mavericks. He grabs 3.1 rebounds per game and has 2.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage currently is at 80%. Harrison Barnes averages 18.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.2 rebounds per contest and 2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 84%.

Useful Team Statistics

Phoenix averages 106.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -7.52 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 22nd. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 29th in the league. They average 45.8 rebounds per game and 20.1 assists per game, which ranks them 4th and 29th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 6th with 16.1 per game. The Suns allow 114.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 30th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 26th and 25th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.6 rebounds a game which ranks 26th and they give up 22.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 18th place in the league. They force 13.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 4th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Dallas is 27th in the league with 99.7 points per game this year. They are 27th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -3.43. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 16th in the NBA. They are 24th in the league in rebounding with 41.5 boards per game, and 22nd in assists per contest with 21.4. The Mavericks are 29th in turnovers per game with 13.3. The Mavericks surrender 103.1 points per contest, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 15th and 11th in those defensive statistics. They rank 14th with 22.4 assists allowed per contest and 27th with 45.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Mavericks are 6th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.1 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Suns are 23rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.7, and their defensive rating of 112.1 is ranked 1st. In terms of pace they are 3rd in the league with 101.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% is 27th. As a team they are 25th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shots, ranking 27th in the league. Phoenix is 13th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 11th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Dallas is 28th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 12th in the league. The Mavericks are 26th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.2, and their defensive rating of 107.8 is ranked 15th. In terms of pace they are 27th in the league with 95.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 22nd. As a team they are 24th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 5th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Phoenix

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