Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder - 12/31/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Dallas Mavericks vs Oklahoma City Thunder

Date: Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK

TV: Fox Sports Oklahoma

Odds/Point Spread: Dallas -3.5

Total/Over-Under: 222

Chesapeake Energy Arena is the venue where Chris Paul and the Oklahoma City Thunder (17-15, 3rd in the Northwest Division) will play the Dallas Mavericks (21-11, 2nd in the Southwest Division) on Tuesday. The spread on this game has Dallas as 3.5 point favorites. The total opens at 222.

The Mavericks cover 56.2% of the time, having gone 18-14-0 ATS. Oklahoma City is covering 62.5% of the time, going 20-12-0 against the spread.

Key Dallas Mavericks Injuries

12/29/2019 Jr SG Hamstring Game Time Decision

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

12/29/2019 Andre Roberson SG Knee Expected to be out until at least Dec 31
12/28/2019 Dennis Schroder PG Ankle Expected to be out until at least Dec 31
12/26/2019 Danilo Gallinari SF Ankle Expected to be out until at least Dec 31
11/25/2019 Hamidou Diallo SG Elbow Expected to be out until at least Jan 4

Player Spotlight

Kristaps Porzingis averages 17.3 points per game in 31.2 minutes per contest. He averages 1.5 assists per contest and 9.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 40% for the year while his free throw percentage is 73%. Tim Hardaway comes into this contest averaging 13.7 points per game while playing 25.5 minutes per night. He pulls down 2.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is at 81%.

Player Spotlight

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averages 19.8 points per game and he sees the court an average of 35.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.0 rebounds per contest and 2.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 81%. Chris Paul averages 16.6 points per game while playing 31.7 minutes per contest. He grabs 4.8 rebounds per game and has 6.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 90%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Mavericks allow 108.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 15th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 11th and 6th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.2 rebounds a game which ranks 12th, and they give up 23.1 assists per contest which puts them in 8th place in the league. They force 12.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 1st in the league. Dallas averages 116.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 3rd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 7.9 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 12th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 6th in the league. They average 48.0 rebounds per game and 24.7 assists per contest, which ranks them 3rd and 13th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 29th with 13.1 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Thunder surrender 107.5 points per contest, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 16th and 5th in those defensive statistics. They rank 6th with 22.8 assists allowed per contest, and 10th with 44.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Thunder are 11th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.6 per game. Oklahoma City is 20th in the league with 108.3 points per game this year. They are 7th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 0.8. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 24th in the NBA. They are 26th in the league in rebounding with 42.5 boards per game and 27th in assists per contest with 21.6. The Thunder are 22nd in turnovers per game with 14.4.

Advanced Statistics

The Mavericks are 1st in the league in defensive rating with 108.5, and their offensive rating of 116.4 is ranked 15th. They are 18th in the NBA in pace with 99.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 3rd. As a unit they are 3rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 46% of their shot attempts, ranking 2nd in the NBA. Dallas is 30th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 20th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Oklahoma City is 16th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 16th in the NBA. The Thunder are 17th in the league in defensive rating with 108, and their offensive rating of 108.8 is ranked 14th. They are 26th in the NBA in pace with 98.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 10th. As a unit they are 8th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 22nd in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Dallas -3.5

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