New Orleans Pelicans vs. Dallas Mavericks - 12/7/19 NBA Pick, Odds, and Prediction

Game: New Orleans Pelicans vs Dallas Mavericks

Date: Saturday, December 7, 2019

Location: American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX

TV: Fox Sports Southwest - Dallas

Odds/Point Spread: Dallas -9

Total/Over-Under: 232.5

American Airlines Center is the venue where Kristaps Porzingis and the Dallas Mavericks (15-6, 1st in the Southwest Division) will play the New Orleans Pelicans (6-16, 5th in the Southwest Division) on Saturday. Dallas opens this game as 9 point favorites. The over/under opens at 232.5.

The Pelicans are covering 40.9% of the time, having gone 9-13-0 ATS. Dallas is covering the spread 61.9% of the time, going 13-8-0 against the spread.

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

12/5/2019 Brandon Ingram SF Eye Game Time Decision
12/5/2019 Derrick Favors PF Personal Expected to be out until at least Dec 7
12/4/2019 Zion Williamson SF Knee Expected to be out until at least Jan 1
8/29/2019 Darius Miller SF Achilles Expected to be out until at least Apr 1

Key Dallas Mavericks Injuries

12/4/2019 Dwight Powell PF Arm Game Time Decision

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday comes into this contest averaging 19.5 points per game while playing 36.5 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 5.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 72%. Brandon Ingram averages 25.2 points per game in 34.0 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.1 assists per contest and 7.2 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 49% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%.

Player Spotlight

Kristaps Porzingis averages 16.8 points per game while playing 30.4 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 8.9 rebounds per game and has 1.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is at 70%. Luka Doncic averages 30.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 33.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 10.1 rebounds per contest and 9.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 82%.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans averages 114.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 7th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -5.2 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 15th. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 4th in the league. They average 44.7 rebounds per game and 24.9 assists per game, which ranks them 18th and 11th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 7th with 16.2 per game. The Pelicans allow 119.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 29th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc, ranking them 23rd and 26th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.5 rebounds a game which ranks 24th and they give up 25.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 24th place in the league. They force 15.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 21st in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Dallas is 4th in the league with 118.0 points per game this year. They are 10th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 8.6. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 12th in the NBA. They are 5th in the league in rebounding with 47.8 boards per game, and 14th in assists per contest with 24.3. The Mavericks are 30th in turnovers per game with 12.9. The Mavericks surrender 109.4 points per contest, which ranks them 15th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 12th and 9th in those defensive statistics. They rank 8th with 23.1 assists allowed per contest and 18th with 45.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Mavericks are 1st in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 12.8 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans are 15th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109, and their defensive rating of 114 is ranked 27th. In terms of pace they are 4th in the league with 104 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 8th. As a team they are 13th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 43% of their shots, ranking 4th in the league. New Orleans is 9th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 55%, which is 6th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Dallas is 30th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 19th in the NBA. The Mavericks are 1st in the league in defensive rating with 108.9, and their offensive rating of 117.5 is ranked 16th. They are 20th in the NBA in pace with 99.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 5th. 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.

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

Tony's Pick: Take New Orleans +9

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