New Orleans Pelicans vs Dallas Mavericks Predictions, NBA Picks Against the Spread 3/4/2020

Game: New Orleans Pelicans vs Dallas Mavericks

Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Location: American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX

TV: Fox Sports Southwest - Dallas

Odds/Point Spread: Dallas -3.5

Total/Over-Under: 226

Jrue Holiday and the New Orleans Pelicans (26-34, 4th in the Southwest Division) head to American Airlines Center on Wednesday where they'll take on the Dallas Mavericks (37-25, 2nd in the Southwest Division). Dallas opens this contest as 3.5 point favorites. The total has been set at 230.

The Pelicans are covering the spread 51.7% of the time, having gone 30-28-2 ATS. Dallas covers the spread 55.9% of the time, going 33-26-3 against the spread.

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

03/01/20 SG JJ Redick Hamstring is out 2-3 weeks
02/21/20 G Kenrich Williams Back is out indefinitely

Key Dallas Mavericks Injuries

03/02/20 PF Kristaps Porzingis Rest is questionable Wednesday vs New Orleans
03/02/20 SG Seth Curry Back is questionable Wednesday vs New Orleans
02/24/20 PG Jalen Brunson Shoulder is out indefinitely
01/21/20 PF Dwight Powell Achilles is out for season

Player Spotlight

Brandon Ingram averages 24.6 points per game in 34.1 minutes per contest. He averages 4.3 assists per contest and 6.3 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 86%. Jrue Holiday comes into this contest averaging 19.1 points per game while playing 34.8 minutes per night. He pulls down 4.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is at 71%.

Player Spotlight

Tim Hardaway averages 15.5 points per game and he sees the court an average of 28.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.1 rebounds per contest and 1.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 80%. Kristaps Porzingis averages 19.2 points per game while playing 30.8 minutes per contest. He grabs 9.4 rebounds per game and has 1.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 77%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pelicans allow 116.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 27th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 19th and 17th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.1 rebounds a game which ranks 15th, and they give up 24.5 assists per contest which puts them in 15th place in the league. They force 14.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 16th in the league. New Orleans averages 115.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -1.1 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 16th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 3rd in the league. They average 46.8 rebounds per game and 26.8 assists per contest, which ranks them 5th and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 3rd with 16.1 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Mavericks surrender 110.4 points per contest, which ranks them 16th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 9th and 4th in those defensive statistics. They rank 8th with 23.5 assists allowed per contest, and 16th with 45.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Mavericks are 2nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 12.0 per game. Dallas is 3rd in the league with 116.4 points per game this year. They are 14th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 6.0. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 10th in the NBA. They are 4th in the league in rebounding with 47.0 boards per game and 14th in assists per contest with 24.4. The Mavericks are 28th in turnovers per game with 12.8.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans are 15th in the league in defensive rating with 111.8, and their offensive rating of 110.8 is ranked 20th. They are 2nd in the NBA in pace with 103.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 7th. As a unit they are 12th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shot attempts, ranking 8th in the NBA. New Orleans is 6th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 14th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Dallas is 29th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 10.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 22nd in the league. The Mavericks are 1st in the NBA in offensive rating with 117, and their defensive rating of 110.9 is ranked 17th. In terms of pace they are 19th in the league with 99 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 5th. As a team they are 4th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 46% of their shots, ranking 2nd in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take New Orleans +3.5

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