Dallas Mavericks at New Orleans Pelicans NBA Picks & Predictions 3/20/2018

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Smoothie King Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Dallas Mavericks head to Smoothie King Center to take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. The opening line for this game has New Orleans as 9 point favorites.

The Mavericks head into this matchup with a mark of 22-48. They are 4th in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of -2.4 as they are averaging 102.6 points per contest while giving up 105.0 per game. The Pelicans have an overall record of 40-30. They currently are 2nd in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 111.7 points per game and surrendering 111.1, good for a point differential of 0.6.

Valuable Dallas Mavericks Betting Trends

The Dallas Mavericks are 36-33-1 against the spread

The Dallas Mavericks are 32-38-0 against the over/under

Important New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 38-32-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 41-29-0 against the over/under

Key Dallas Mavericks Injuries

03/18/18 G Dennis Smith Jr. Ankle is out indefinitely
03/17/18 G Jose Juan Barea Ribs is "?" Tuesday vs New Orleans
03/11/18 G Wesley Matthews Leg is out indefinitely
02/06/18 G Seth Curry Tibia is out for season

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/20/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out indefinitely
01/27/18 F DeMarcus Cousins Achilles is out for season

Player Spotlight

Dirk Nowitzki comes into this game averaging 12.3 points per contest while playing 24.9 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 5.7 rebounds per contest and distributes 1.6 assists per game. His FG percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is 91%. Harrison Barnes averages 18.7 points per contest in 34.3 minutes per game this year. He averages 2 assists per game and 6.4 rebounds per contest for Dallas. His field goal percentage is 45% for the season while his free throw percentage is 83%.

Player Spotlight

Anthony Davis has scored 28 points per contest while playing 36.5 minutes per game this season for the Pelicans. He hauls in 11.2 rebounds per contest and has 2.3 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 53% and his free throw percentage is at 83%. Jrue Holiday averages 19.1 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 36.5 minutes per game. He also brings in 4.4 rebounds per game and 5.9 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

Dallas averages 102.6 points per contest this year, which is 25th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -2.39 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 26th. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 15th in the NBA. They average 41.1 boards per contest and 22.7 assists per game, which ranks them 26th and 15th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 30th with 12.4 per game. The Mavericks allow 105 points per contest which is 12th in the NBA. They also surrender a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 21st and 17th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 45.4 rebounds a game which ranks 25th, and they allow 23 assists per game which puts them in 13th place in the league. They force 14.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 10th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans is 4th in the NBA with 111.7 points per contest this season. They are 2nd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 0.53. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 16th in the league. They are 15th in the NBA in rebounding with 43.9 boards per contest and 2nd in assists per game with 26.5. The Pelicans are 8th in turnovers per contest with 15.1. The Pelicans give up 111.1 points per game, which ranks them 29th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 10th and 10th in those defensive statistics. They rank 21st with 24 dimes allowed per game and 27th with 45.5 boards surrendered per contest. The Pelicans are 15th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Mavericks are 20th in the league in defensive rating with 109.3, and their offensive rating of 106.9 is ranked 15th. They are 26th in the NBA in pace with 95.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 19th. As a unit they are 20th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shot attempts, ranking 4th in the NBA. Dallas is 28th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 9th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 13th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 20th in the NBA. The Pelicans are 11th in the league in defensive rating with 109, and their offensive rating of 109.5 is ranked 16th. They are 3rd in the NBA in pace with 100.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 4th. 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 19th in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Dallas +9

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