The San Antonio Spurs (19-10) look to extend their eight-game home winning streak when they clash against the Dallas Mavericks (8-21), who will try to put an end to their five-game road losing streak. The game will air on Fox Sports – Southwest at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 16, 2017.
San Antonio opened as a 9-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 197 points.
Dallas Mavericks at San Antonio Spurs Free Prediction
The last time the Mavericks played, they were topped by the Golden State Warriors, 112-97. Golden State’s 0.673 effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Dallas, who had a rate of 0.512. The Warriors’ mark was above their season average of 0.585. Dirk Nowitzki was Dallas’ high scorer with 18 points on 6-for-13 shooting.
The Spurs lost to the Houston Rockets in their last contest, 124-109. Houston was successful at getting and making free throws. The Rockets made 20 of their 25 free throws (80.0 percent), while the Spurs were just 7-13 (53.8 percent). LaMarcus Aldridge put together a solid performance for San Antonio, leading the team in scoring with 16 points on 8-for-21 shooting.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when a pair of the league’s slowest-paced teams battle. San Antonio currently ranks 29th in possessions per game (95.9) and Dallas is 25th (97.5). Furthermore, the Mavericks rank 27th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.172), while the Spurs rank third in opponents’ FTA rate (0.167).
Dallas heads into the contest with records of 8-21 straight up (SU) and 13-16 against the spread (ATS). Of the Mavericks’ 29 games, 16 have finished under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, San Antonio is 19-10 SU and 14-12-2 ATS. Coinciding with Dallas, games involving the Spurs also have a tendency to go under the projected point total (57.1 percent).
The Spurs lead the season series against the Mavericks two games to one, but dropped their most recent game, 95-89. San Antonio covered as a 5.5-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 184 points, which was 16 points below the projected point total of 200 points. Dallas had a better turnover percentage (6.0 vs. 9.5). San Antonio, on the other hand, had a better free throw rate (0.138 vs. 0.112). In the loss, Aldridge recorded a double-double with 23 points and 13 rebounds.
Dallas Mavericks at San Antonio Spurs Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Spurs, ATS Winner – Mavericks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Dallas is 6-7 ATS on the road with 8 unders and 5 overs.
San Antonio is 10-4-1 ATS at home with 9 overs and 6 unders.
San Antonio is 11-5 when they allow below 100 points, while Dallas is 7-6.
The Mavericks are 5-8 when they score above 100 points, while the Spurs are 14-1.
San Antonio ranks second in blocks per game (6.0) while Dallas ranks 27th (3.5).
The Spurs rank fourth in rebounds allowed per game (41.3) while the Mavericks rank 27th (46.1).
Dallas ranks fifth in three pointers attempted per game (31.8) while San Antonio ranks 25th (25.0).
The Spurs rank sixth in second chance points per game (14.2) while the Mavericks rank 26th (9.8).
San Antonio ranks 14th in fast break points allowed per game (11.0) while Dallas ranks 27th (14.2).
The Spurs rank 21st in points in the paint per game (41.6) while the Mavericks rank last (37.5).
San Antonio ranks 20th in points off turnovers per game (15.7) while Dallas ranks 29th (13.7).
The Spurs rank 20th in steals per game (7.4) while the Mavericks rank 27th (6.8).
San Antonio averages 22.7 assists per game, which ranks 14th in the NBA. Dallas ranks 16th in assists allowed per game (22.7).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Dallas is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
San Antonio is 2-3 ATS with 2 overs, 2 unders and 1 push over their last five games.
The Mavericks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 5.6, up from 3.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Spurs have scored an average of 104.8 points per game (3.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 105.4 points per game (7.0 above their season average).
