Charlotte Hornets at Dallas Mavericks NBA Picks & Predictions 3/24/2018

Saturday, March 24, 2018

American Airlines Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Charlotte Hornets travel to American Airlines Center to play the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, March 24, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Charlotte as 2 point favorites.

The Hornets come into this game with an overall record of 32-41. They are 3rd in the Southeast Division. They currently have a point differential of 0.0 as they are averaging 107.5 points per game while giving up 107.5 per contest. The Mavericks have an overall record of 22-50. They currently are 4th in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 102.8 points per game and surrendering 105.4, good for a point differential of -2.6.

Valuable Charlotte Hornets Betting Trends

The Charlotte Hornets are 31-38-4 against the spread

The Charlotte Hornets are 37-34-2 against the over/under

Important Dallas Mavericks Betting Trends

The Dallas Mavericks are 37-34-1 against the spread

The Dallas Mavericks are 34-38-0 against the over/under

Key Charlotte Hornets Injuries

03/23/18 F Cody Zeller Knee is doubtful Saturday vs Dallas
03/23/18 F Nicolas Batum Achilles is doubtful Saturday vs Dallas
03/22/18 C Dwight Howard Suspension Served is probable Saturday vs Dallas
03/09/18 G Michael Carter-Williams Shoulder is out for season

Key Dallas Mavericks Injuries

03/18/18 G Dennis Smith Jr. Ankle is out indefinitely
03/11/18 G Wesley Matthews Leg is out indefinitely
02/06/18 G Seth Curry Tibia is out for season

Player Spotlight

Dwight Howard comes into this contest averaging 16.6 points per game while playing 30.5 minutes per night so far this season for the Hornets. He pulls down 12.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 55% while his free throw percentage is currently at 57%. Kemba Walker averages 22.9 points per game in 34.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5.7 assists per contest and 3.3 rebounds per game for Charlotte. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 86%.

Player Spotlight

Dirk Nowitzki averages 12.3 points per game while playing 24.8 minutes per contest this year for the Mavericks. He grabs 5.6 rebounds per game and has 1.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage currently is at 90%. Harrison Barnes averages 18.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.3 rebounds per contest and 2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

Charlotte averages 107.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 0.01 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 26th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 11th in the league. They average 45.3 rebounds per game and 21.3 assists per game, which ranks them 4th and 28th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 28th with 12.5 per game. The Hornets allow 107.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 18th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc, ranking them 21st and 27th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.7 rebounds a game which ranks 17th and they give up 24.5 assists per contest, which puts them in 25th place in the league. They force 13.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 7th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Dallas is 26th in the league with 102.8 points per game this year. They are 24th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -2.56. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 12th in the NBA. They are 27th in the league in rebounding with 41 boards per game, and 16th in assists per contest with 22.7. The Mavericks are 30th in turnovers per game with 12.4. The Mavericks surrender 105.4 points per contest, which ranks them 12th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 22nd and 17th in those defensive statistics. They rank 15th with 23.3 assists allowed per contest and 25th with 45.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Mavericks are 9th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Hornets are 14th in the league in defensive rating with 108.8, and their offensive rating of 108.8 is ranked 16th. They are 8th in the NBA in pace with 98.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 27th. As a unit they are 23rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shot attempts, ranking 23rd in the NBA. Charlotte is 30th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 9th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Dallas is 28th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 7th in the league. The Mavericks are 20th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.1, and their defensive rating of 109.7 is ranked 13th. In terms of pace they are 26th in the league with 95.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 18th. 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 4th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Dallas +2

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