Dallas Mavericks at New Orleans Pelicans NBA Picks & Predictions 12/5/2018

Wednesday, December 5, 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 Wednesday, December 5, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has New Orleans as 1 point favorites.

The Mavericks head into this matchup with a mark of 11-10. They are 2nd in the Southwest Division. They have a point differential of 2.0 as they average 110.8 points per contest while giving up 108.9 per game. The Pelicans have an overall mark of 12-13. They currently are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They total 118.1 points per contest and give up 116.7, which is a point differential of 1.4.

Valuable Dallas Mavericks Betting Trends

The Dallas Mavericks are 14-7-0 against the spread

The Dallas Mavericks are 12-9-0 against the over/under

Important New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 11-13-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 13-10-0 against the over/under

Key Dallas Mavericks Injuries

12/03/18 PG Dennis Smith Jr. Teeth is probable Tuesday vs Portland
12/03/18 PG Luka Doncic Hip is upgraded to probable Tuesday vs Portland
12/03/18 F Maxi Kleber Knee is questionable Tuesday vs Portland
10/12/18 F Dirk Nowitzki Foot is out indefinitely

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

12/04/18 F Nikola Mirotic Illness missed last game, is questionable Wednesday vs Dallas
11/18/18 PG Elfrid Payton Finger is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Dennis Smith comes into this contest averaging 13.6 points per game while playing 28.3 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 2.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 67%. Luka Doncic averages 18.5 points per game in 33.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.3 assists per contest and 6.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 79%.

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday averages 20.6 points per game while playing 36.4 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.5 rebounds per game and has 9.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 75%. Anthony Davis averages 28.0 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 37.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 13.0 rebounds per contest and 4.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

Dallas averages 110.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.0 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 12th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 11th in the league. They average 45.2 rebounds per game and 22.7 assists per game, which ranks them 16th and 20th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 2nd with 16.0 per game. The Mavericks allow 108.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 9th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 18th and 19th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.0 rebounds a game which ranks 2nd and they give up 24.0 assists per contest, which puts them in 17th place in the league. They force 15.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 22nd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans is 2nd in the league with 118.1 points per game this year. They are 4th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 1.4. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 20th in the NBA. They are 4th in the league in rebounding with 48.0 boards per game, and 3rd in assists per contest with 26.9. The Pelicans are 8th in turnovers per game with 15.0. The Pelicans surrender 116.7 points per contest, which ranks them 27th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 22nd and 27th in those defensive statistics. They rank 25th with 25.2 assists allowed per contest and 9th with 43.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pelicans are 8th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.1 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Mavericks are 12th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.2, and their defensive rating of 108.3 is ranked 11th. In terms of pace they are 14th in the league with 100.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 9th. As a team they are 7th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shots, ranking 6th in the league. Dallas is 3rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 12th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 13th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 8th in the NBA. The Pelicans are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 112.9, and their offensive rating of 114.2 is ranked 24th. They are 3rd in the NBA in pace with 103.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 6th. As a unit they are 5th 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 New Orleans -1

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