The Dallas Mavericks (22-50) meet the Charlotte Hornets (32-41) at American Airlines Center. The game starts at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 24, 2018, and will air on Fox Sports Carolina.
Charlotte is a 2-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 214.5 points.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Dallas Mavericks Betting Prediction
The last time the Hornets played, they blew out the Memphis Grizzlies, 140-79. The Hornets forced 19 turnovers and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 27.5 (above their season average of 22.2). With 46 points on 13-for-18 shooting, Kemba Walker was the game’s high scorer.
The Mavericks fell to the Utah Jazz in their last contest, 119-112. One of Utah’s largest strengths was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 15-16 (93.8 percent), while the Mavericks were 11-14 (78.6 percent). With 23 points on 9-for-15 shooting, J.J. Barea led Dallas in scoring.
Dallas should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. Dallas ranks third in the league at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.2 percent), while Charlotte forces the ninth-fewest turnovers (13.4 percent).
Charlotte comes into the game with records of 32-41 straight up (SU) and 30-39-4 against the spread (ATS). Of the Hornets’ 73 games, 37 have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Dallas is 22-50 SU and 37-35 ATS. Contrary to Charlotte, Mavericks games have gone under the projected point total 51.4 percent of the time.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, the Hornets lost 115-111, unable to cover as 6.5-point favorites. Walker led both teams with 41 points. The game finished with a total of 226 points, which was 15.5 points above the projected point total of 210.5 points. Dallas did a great job of getting and making free throws (22-28; 78.6 percent). Charlotte, meanwhile, had a better offensive rebounding percentage (10.0 vs. 7.1).
Charlotte Hornets vs. Dallas Mavericks Odds Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Hornets, ATS Winner – Hornets, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Charlotte is 13-20-3 ATS on the road with 18 unders, 17 overs and 1 push.
Dallas is 18-19 ATS at home with 19 unders, 17 overs and 1 push.
When holding opponents under 100 points, Dallas is 15-11 and Charlotte is 11-3.
The Mavericks are 16-26 when they score over 100 points, while the Hornets are 31-19.
Charlotte ranks fourth in rebounds per game (45.3) while Dallas ranks 26th (41.0).
The Hornets rank sixth in fast break points allowed per game (10.3) while the Mavericks rank 27th (14.3).
Dallas ranks fifth in three pointers attempted per game (32.1) while Charlotte ranks 22nd (27.0).
The Hornets rank 12th in second chance points per game (12.9) while the Mavericks rank 27th (10.5).
Charlotte ranks 14th in points off turnovers per game (16.6) while Dallas ranks 28th (14.7).
The Mavericks rank fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (42.0) while the Hornets rank 17th (45.0).
Dallas ranks 16th in assists per game (22.7) while Charlotte ranks 28th (21.3).
The Hornets rank 19th in blocks per game (4.6) while the Mavericks rank 28th (3.7).
Charlotte ranks first in steals allowed per game (6.4) while Dallas ranks ninth (7.3).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Charlotte is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Dallas is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Hornets’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.4, up from 0.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Mavericks have scored an average of 109.6 points per game (6.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 113.4 points per game (8.0 above their season average).
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