Dallas Mavericks at Denver Nuggets NBA Picks & Predictions 12/18/2018

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Pepsi Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Dallas Mavericks travel to Pepsi Center to play the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, December 18, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Denver as 4 point favorites.

The Mavericks head into this matchup with a mark of 15-13. They are 2nd in the Southwest Division. They have a point differential of 1.5 as they average 109.6 points per contest while giving up 108.1 per game. The Nuggets have an overall mark of 20-9. They currently are 1st in the Northwest Division. They total 109.4 points per contest and give up 102.9, which is a point differential of 6.6.

Valuable Dallas Mavericks Betting Trends

The Dallas Mavericks are 17-10-0 against the spread

The Dallas Mavericks are 13-14-0 against the over/under

Important Denver Nuggets Betting Trends

The Denver Nuggets are 17-11-0 against the spread

The Denver Nuggets are 11-17-0 against the over/under

Key Dallas Mavericks Injuries

12/16/18 PG Dennis Smith Jr. Wrist is questionable Tuesday vs Denver
12/16/18 PG J.J. Barea Ankle is questionable Tuesday vs Denver

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

12/07/18 G Gary Harris Hip is out indefinitely
12/07/18 F Paul Millsap Toe is out indefinitely
10/22/18 G Will Barton Hip is out indefinitely
10/11/18 G Isaiah Thomas Hip is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Luka Doncic comes into this contest averaging 18.2 points per game while playing 32.4 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 6.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 77%. Harrison Barnes averages 17.8 points per game in 31.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.2 assists per contest and 4.3 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 41% for the year while his free throw percentage is 80%.

Player Spotlight

Nikola Jokic averages 17.7 points per game while playing 30.8 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 9.9 rebounds per game and has 7.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is at 84%. Jamal Murray averages 17.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.4 rebounds per contest and 4.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

Dallas averages 109.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 17th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 1.5 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 17th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 21st in the league. They average 45.8 rebounds per game and 22.6 assists per game, which ranks them 12th and 23rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 3rd with 15.9 per game. The Mavericks allow 108.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 11th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 17th and 18th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.3 rebounds a game which ranks 3rd and they give up 23.5 assists per contest, which puts them in 12th place in the league. They force 14.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 21st in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver is 18th in the league with 109.4 points per game this year. They are 13th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 6.6. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 22nd in the NBA. They are 8th in the league in rebounding with 47.1 boards per game, and 3rd in assists per contest with 26.7. The Nuggets are 22nd in turnovers per game with 13.5. The Nuggets surrender 102.9 points per contest, which ranks them 4th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 7th and 1st in those defensive statistics. They rank 9th with 22.9 assists allowed per contest and 1st with 42.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Nuggets are 11th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.9 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Mavericks are 18th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.4, and their defensive rating of 107.9 is ranked 9th. In terms of pace they are 13th in the league with 99.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 13th. As a team they are 10th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shots, ranking 5th in the league. Dallas is 3rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14 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 15th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Denver is 23rd in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 26th in the NBA. The Nuggets are 7th in the league in defensive rating with 105.6, and their offensive rating of 112.3 is ranked 5th. They are 27th in the NBA in pace with 96.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 18th. As a unit they are 19th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 20th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Dallas +4

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