Dallas Mavericks at Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Picks & Predictions 12/31/2018

Monday, December 31, 2018

Chesapeake Energy Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Dallas Mavericks head to Chesapeake Energy Arena to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, December 31, 2018. The opening line for this game has Oklahoma City as 4.5 point favorites.

The Mavericks head into this matchup with a mark of 16-18. They are 4th in the Southwest Division. They have a point differential of 0.7 as they average 111.0 points per contest while giving up 110.3 per game. The Thunder have an overall record of 22-12 this season. They are 2nd in the Northwest Division. They average 112.1 points per game and surrender 105.7, good for a point differential of 6.4.

Valuable Dallas Mavericks Betting Trends

The Dallas Mavericks are 21-13-0 against the spread this season

The Dallas Mavericks are 19-15-0 against the over/under this year

Important Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 19-15-0 against the spread this season

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 16-18-0 against the over/under this year

Key Dallas Mavericks Injuries

12/30/18 C DeAndre Jordan Knee is upgraded to probable Sunday vs Oklahoma City
12/29/18 PG Devin Harris Head injured last game, is probable Sunday vs Oklahoma City
12/29/18 G Wesley Matthews Foot is downgraded to doubtful Sunday vs Oklahoma City

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

12/29/18 G Alex Abrines Illness is downgraded to OUT Sunday vs Dallas
12/29/18 SF Paul George Quad is upgraded to probable Sunday vs Dallas
12/29/18 G Terrance Ferguson Illness is upgraded to probable Sunday vs Dallas
10/04/18 G Andre Roberson Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Harrison Barnes comes into this game averaging 18.4 points per contest while playing 32.1 minutes per night this year. He grabs 4.2 rebounds per contest and distributes 1.1 assists per game. His FG percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is 80%. Luka Doncic averages 19.5 points per contest in 32.5 minutes per game. He averages 5.0 assists per game and 6.6 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 44% for the season while his free throw percentage is 76%.

Player Spotlight

Paul George scores 26.3 points per contest while playing 35.4 minutes per game. He hauls in 8.4 rebounds per contest and has 4.3 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 84%. Dennis Schroder averages 16.1 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 29.5 minutes per game. He also brings in 3.9 rebounds per game and has 4.6 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 85%.

Useful Team Statistics

Dallas averages 111.0 points per contest, which is 15th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 0.7 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 17th. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 16th in the NBA. They average 45.3 boards per contest and 22.8 assists per game, which ranks them 13th and 22nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 5th with 15.1 per game. The Mavericks allow 110.3 points per contest, which is 15th in the NBA. They also surrender a 47% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 22nd and 15th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 43.1 rebounds a game which ranks 5th, and they allow 24.4 assists per game which puts them in 20th place in the league. They force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 18th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Oklahoma City is 11th in the NBA with 112.1 points per contest this season. They are 14th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 6.38. They shoot 33% from beyond the arc, which is good for 29th in the league. They are 2nd in the NBA in rebounding with 48.7 boards per contest and 24th in assists per game with 22.6. The Thunder are 7th in turnovers per contest with 14.8. The Thunder give up 105.7 points per game, which ranks them 6th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 9th and 4th in those defensive statistics. They rank 12th with 23.9 dimes allowed per game and 9th with 44.0 boards surrendered per contest. The Thunder are 30th in the league in forcing turnovers with 17.3 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Mavericks are 16th in the league in defensive rating with 110, and their offensive rating of 110.7 is ranked 14th. They are 12th in the NBA in pace with 99.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 15th. As a unit they are 9th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 4th in the NBA. Dallas is 5th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 10th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Oklahoma City is 14th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 22nd in the NBA. The Thunder are 20th in the league in defensive rating with 103.2, and their offensive rating of 109.4 is ranked 2nd. They are 6th in the NBA in pace with 102.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 23rd. As a unit they are 24th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 22nd in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Dallas +4.5

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