Dallas Mavericks at Chicago Bulls NBA Picks & Predictions 3/2/2018

Friday, March 2, 2018

United Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Dallas Mavericks travel to United Center to play the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 2, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Dallas as 1.5 point favorites.

The Mavericks head into this matchup with a mark of 19-43. They are 4th in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of -2.6 as they are averaging 102.1 points per contest while giving up 104.7 per game. The Bulls have an overall mark of 20-41. They currently are 5th in the Central Division. They are averaging 103.3 points per contest and giving up 109.6, which is a point differential of -6.3.

Valuable Dallas Mavericks Betting Trends

The Dallas Mavericks are 32-29-1 against the spread

The Dallas Mavericks are 28-34-0 against the over/under

Important Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 31-28-2 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 33-28-0 against the over/under

Key Dallas Mavericks Injuries

02/06/18 G Seth Curry Tibia is out for season

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

02/27/18 F Paul Zipser Foot is "?" Friday vs Dallas

Player Spotlight

Harrison Barnes comes into this contest averaging 18.3 points per game while playing 34.4 minutes per night so far this season for the Mavericks. He pulls down 6.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is currently at 83%. Dennis Smith averages 14.6 points per game in 29.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.8 assists per contest and 3.9 rebounds per game for Dallas. His field goal percentage is 39% for the year while his free throw percentage is 69%.

Player Spotlight

Lauri Markkanen averages 14.8 points per game while playing 30.4 minutes per contest this year for the Bulls. He grabs 7.6 rebounds per game and has 1.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage currently is at 85%. Zach Lavine averages 17.7 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 26.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.5 rebounds per contest and 3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

Dallas averages 102.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 27th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -2.61 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 26th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 13th in the league. They average 40.5 rebounds per game and 22.6 assists per game, which ranks them 28th and 17th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 30th with 12.4 per game. The Mavericks allow 104.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 10th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 22nd and 14th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.5 rebounds a game which ranks 27th and they give up 23 assists per contest, which puts them in 12th place in the league. They force 14.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 11th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago is 23rd in the league with 103.3 points per game this year. They are 29th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -6.34. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 21st in the NBA. They are 6th in the league in rebounding with 44.9 boards per game, and 9th in assists per contest with 23.5. The Bulls are 21st in turnovers per game with 13.8. The Bulls surrender 109.6 points per contest, which ranks them 25th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 23rd and 24th in those defensive statistics. They rank 28th with 25.5 assists allowed per contest and 29th with 45.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bulls are 3rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Mavericks are 22nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.5, and their defensive rating of 109.2 is ranked 14th. In terms of pace they are 25th in the league with 95.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 17th. As a team they are 19th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 4th in the league. Dallas is 28th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.7 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 7th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Chicago is 25th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 6th in the league. The Bulls are 29th in the NBA in offensive rating with 103.9, and their defensive rating of 110.3 is ranked 8th. In terms of pace they are 9th in the league with 98.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 28th. As a team they are 30th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 12th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Dallas -1.5

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