Dallas Mavericks at New Orleans Pelicans NBA Picks & Predictions 12/28/2018

Friday, December 28, 2018

Smoothie King Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Dallas Mavericks travel to Smoothie King Center to play the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, December 28, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has New Orleans as 4.5 point favorites.

The Mavericks head into this matchup with a mark of 16-17. They are 4th in the Southwest Division. They have a point differential of 0.8 as they average 111.0 points per contest while giving up 110.2 per game. The Pelicans have an overall mark of 15-20. They currently are 5th in the Southwest Division. They total 116.4 points per contest and give up 115.6, which is a point differential of 0.8.

Valuable Dallas Mavericks Betting Trends

The Dallas Mavericks are 19-13-0 against the spread

The Dallas Mavericks are 18-14-0 against the over/under

Important New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 15-19-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 17-16-0 against the over/under

Key Dallas Mavericks Injuries

12/26/18 PG Dennis Smith Jr. Wrist is questionable Friday vs New Orleans

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

12/11/18 F Nikola Mirotic Ankle is out indefinitely
11/18/18 PG Elfrid Payton Finger is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Luka Doncic comes into this contest averaging 19.0 points per game while playing 32.4 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 6.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 5.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 77%. Harrison Barnes averages 18.3 points per game in 32.0 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.1 assists per contest and 4.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 80%.

Player Spotlight

Anthony Davis averages 28.1 points per game while playing 36.9 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 12.9 rebounds per game and has 4.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is at 81%. Jrue Holiday averages 20.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 36.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.4 rebounds per contest and 8.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 76%.

Useful Team Statistics

Dallas averages 111.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 16th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 0.8 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 19th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 19th in the league. They average 45.5 rebounds per game and 22.9 assists per game, which ranks them 13th and 21st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 6th with 15.1 per game. The Mavericks allow 110.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 15th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 22nd and 19th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.9 rebounds a game which ranks 4th and they give up 24.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 20th place in the league. They force 14.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 18th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans is 2nd in the league with 116.4 points per game this year. They are 6th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 0.8. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 16th in the NBA. They are 6th in the league in rebounding with 47.4 boards per game, and 2nd in assists per contest with 27.1. The Pelicans are 9th in turnovers per game with 14.6. The Pelicans surrender 115.6 points per contest, which ranks them 27th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 21st and 20th in those defensive statistics. They rank 24th with 25.3 assists allowed per contest and 15th with 44.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pelicans are 9th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.2 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Mavericks are 16th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.5, and their defensive rating of 109.7 is ranked 13th. In terms of pace they are 11th in the league with 99.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 16th. 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 4th in the league. Dallas is 5th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 10th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 15th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 7th in the NBA. The Pelicans are 6th in the league in defensive rating with 112.4, and their offensive rating of 113.2 is ranked 23rd. They are 3rd in the NBA in pace with 102.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 9th. As a unit they are 8th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 25th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Dallas +4.5

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