Denver Nuggets vs Dallas Mavericks NBA Game Picks 1/8/2020

Game: Denver Nuggets vs Dallas Mavericks

Date: Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Location: American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Dallas -1.5

Total/Over-Under: 218.5

Tim Hardaway and the Dallas Mavericks (23-13, 2nd in the Southwest Division) play the Denver Nuggets (25-11, 1st in the Northwest Division) at American Airlines Center on Wednesday, January 8, 2020. Dallas opens this game as 1.5 point favorites. The over/under has been set at 218.5.

The Nuggets cover the spread 43.8% of the time, having gone 14-18-4 ATS. Dallas is covering 54.3% of the time, going 19-16-1 against the spread.

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Dallas Mavericks Injuries

01/06/20 PF Kristaps Porzingis Knee is questionable Wednesday vs Denver

Player Spotlight

Jamal Murray comes into this game averaging 17.8 points per contest while playing 32.2 minutes per night this year. He grabs 4.2 rebounds per contest and distributes 4.8 assists per game. His FG percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is 92%. Nikola Jokic averages 18.9 points per contest in 31.1 minutes per game. He averages 6.4 assists per game and 9.8 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 51% for the season while his free throw percentage is 80%.

Player Spotlight

Tim Hardaway scores 13.8 points per contest while playing 25.4 minutes per game. He hauls in 2.6 rebounds per contest and has 1.7 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 81%. Luka Doncic averages 29.7 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 32.8 minutes per game. He also brings in 9.7 rebounds per game and has 8.9 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver averages 109.2 points per contest, which is 19th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 3.9 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 11th. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 22nd in the NBA. They average 44.7 boards per contest and 26.3 assists per game, which ranks them 19th and 4th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 25th with 13.4 per game. The Nuggets allow 105.2 points per contest, which is 4th in the NBA. They also surrender a 45% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 13th and 2nd in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 43.5 rebounds a game which ranks 6th, and they allow 24.0 assists per game which puts them in 16th place in the league. They force 14.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 13th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Dallas is 3rd in the NBA with 116.7 points per contest this season. They are 15th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 7.39. They shoot 37% from beyond the arc, which is good for 9th in the league. They are 4th in the NBA in rebounding with 47.7 boards per contest and 13th in assists per game with 24.5. The Mavericks are 28th in turnovers per contest with 13.1. The Mavericks give up 109.3 points per game, which ranks them 14th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 11th and 6th in those defensive statistics. They rank 9th with 23.3 dimes allowed per game and 15th with 45.6 boards surrendered per contest. The Mavericks are 3rd in the league in forcing turnovers with 12.7 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Nuggets are 8th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111.3, and their defensive rating of 107.3 is ranked 12th. In terms of pace they are 29th in the league with 97.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 20th. As a team they are 21st in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 27th in the league. Denver is 24th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 18th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Dallas is 30th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 22nd in the NBA. The Mavericks are 1st in the league in defensive rating with 109.5, and their offensive rating of 116.9 is ranked 17th. They are 22nd in the NBA in pace with 99 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 2nd. As a unit they are 4th 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.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Dallas -1.5

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