Oklahoma City Thunder at Dallas Mavericks NBA Picks & Predictions 2/28/2018

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

American Airlines Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Oklahoma City Thunder travel to American Airlines Center to play the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, February 28, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Oklahoma City as 6 point favorites.

The Thunder come into this game with an overall record of 35-27. They are 3rd in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 2.9 as they are averaging 106.3 points per game while giving up 103.4 per contest. The Mavericks have an overall record of 19-42. They currently are 4th in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 102.0 points per game and surrendering 104.6, good for a point differential of -2.6.

Valuable Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 24-37-1 against the spread

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 28-34-0 against the over/under

Important Dallas Mavericks Betting Trends

The Dallas Mavericks are 31-29-1 against the spread

The Dallas Mavericks are 27-34-0 against the over/under

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

01/28/18 G Andre Roberson Leg is out for season

Key Dallas Mavericks Injuries

02/06/18 G Seth Curry Tibia is out for season

Player Spotlight

Paul George averages 22.3 points per game in 36.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.2 assists per contest and 5.5 rebounds per game for Oklahoma City. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 81%. Russell Westbrook comes into this contest averaging 24.8 points per game while playing 36.1 minutes per night so far this season for the Thunder. He pulls down 9.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 10.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is currently at 73%.

Player Spotlight

Harrison Barnes averages 18.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.5 rebounds per contest and 1.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 83%. Dennis Smith averages 14.6 points per game while playing 29.2 minutes per contest this year for the Mavericks. He grabs 3.9 rebounds per game and has 4.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 39% and his free throw percentage currently is at 69%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Thunder allow 103.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 6th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 13th and 14th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.5 rebounds a game which ranks 4th, and they give up 23.2 assists per contest which puts them in 18th place in the league. They force 16 turnovers per game which ranks them 30th in the league. Oklahoma City averages 106.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 14th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.89 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 20th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 26th in the league. They average 45 rebounds per game and 21.2 assists per game, which ranks them 5th and 27th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 19th with 14 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Mavericks surrender 104.6 points per contest, which ranks them 10th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 23rd and 18th in those defensive statistics. They rank 15th with 23.1 assists allowed per contest, and 26th with 45.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Mavericks are 10th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14 per game this season. Dallas is 26th in the league with 102 points per game this year. They are 25th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -2.64. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 13th in the NBA. They are 27th in the league in rebounding with 40.5 boards per game and 19th in assists per contest with 22.4. The Mavericks are 30th in turnovers per game with 12.3.

Advanced Statistics

The Thunder are 10th in the league in defensive rating with 106.9, and their offensive rating of 109.9 is ranked 22nd. They are 21st in the NBA in pace with 96.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 20th. As a unit they are 25th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 14th in the NBA. Oklahoma City is 24th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 14th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Dallas is 28th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 7th in the league. The Mavericks are 22nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.5, and their defensive rating of 109.3 is ranked 12th. In terms of pace they are 25th in the league with 95.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 17th. As a team they are 19th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 4th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Oklahoma City -6

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