Dallas Mavericks vs. Toronto Raptors - 12/22/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Dallas Mavericks vs Toronto Raptors

Date: Sunday, December 22, 2019

Location: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON

TV: SN

Odds/Point Spread: Toronto -3.5

Total/Over-Under: 216

Scotiabank Arena is the site where Fred VanVleet and the Toronto Raptors (20-8, 2nd in the Atlantic Division) will take on the Dallas Mavericks (19-9, 1st in the Southwest Division) on Sunday. The odds on this matchup have Toronto as 3.5 point favorites. The over/under is set at 216.

The Mavericks are covering the spread 60.7% of the time, having gone 17-11-0 ATS. Toronto is covering 57.1% of the time, going 16-12-0 against the spread.

Key Dallas Mavericks Injuries

12/15/2019 Luka Doncic SF Ankle Expected to be out until at least Dec 26

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

12/20/2019 Matt Thomas SG Finger Expected to be out until at least Jan 4
12/20/2019 Stanley Johnson SF Groin Expected to be out until at least Dec 22
12/20/2019 Norman Powell SG Shoulder Expected to be out until at least Jan 1
12/20/2019 Pascal Siakam PF Groin Expected to be out until at least Jan 1
12/19/2019 Marc Gasol C Hamstring Expected to be out until at least Dec 31

Player Spotlight

Tim Hardaway comes into this contest averaging 13.5 points per game while playing 25.9 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 2.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 41% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 80%. Kristaps Porzingis averages 17.6 points per game in 31.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.4 assists per contest and 9.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 41% for the year while his free throw percentage is 72%.

Player Spotlight

Fred VanVleet averages 18.0 points per game while playing 36.5 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.0 rebounds per game and has 7.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is at 87%. OG Anunoby averages 11.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.0 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.7 rebounds per contest and 1.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is 64%.

Useful Team Statistics

Dallas averages 117.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 4th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 8.8 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 8th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 8th in the league. They average 47.9 rebounds per game and 24.6 assists per game, which ranks them 4th and 13th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 30th with 12.8 per game. The Mavericks allow 108.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 15th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 11th and 6th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.3 rebounds a game which ranks 11th and they give up 23.0 assists per contest, which puts them in 9th place in the league. They force 12.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 1st in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto is 11th in the league with 112.0 points per game this year. They are 18th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 6.1. They shoot 38% from 3-point range, which is good for 3rd in the NBA. They are 9th in the league in rebounding with 46.2 boards per game, and 9th in assists per contest with 25.3. The Raptors are 17th in turnovers per game with 15.0. The Raptors surrender 105.9 points per contest, which ranks them 7th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 42% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 2nd and 4th in those defensive statistics. They rank 25th with 25.4 assists allowed per contest and 30th with 48.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Raptors are 28th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.5 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Mavericks are 1st in the league in defensive rating with 108.4, and their offensive rating of 117.2 is ranked 15th. They are 19th in the NBA in pace with 99.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 3rd. As a unit they are 3rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 45% of their shot attempts, ranking 2nd in the NBA. Dallas is 30th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 20th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Toronto is 16th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%, which is 30th in the league. The Raptors are 11th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.9, and their defensive rating of 103.9 is ranked 4th. In terms of pace they are 12th in the league with 101.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 10th. As a team they are 8th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shots, ranking 8th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Dallas +3.5

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