The Dallas Mavericks (23-54) square off against the Portland Trail Blazers (48-29) at American Airlines Center. The game is scheduled to start at 8:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 3, 2018.
Portland is an 8.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 208 points.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Dallas Mavericks Free Prediction
In the Trail Blazers’ last matchup, they beat the Memphis Grizzlies, 113-98. The Trail Blazers made 23 of their 25 free throws (92.0 percent), while the Grizzlies had a turnover percentage of 15.4 (above the 11.4 mark opponents have averaged against Portland this season). With 27 points on 7-for-15 shooting, Damian Lillard led Portland in scoring.
The Mavericks were beaten by the Cleveland Cavaliers in their last game, 98-87. Cleveland’s rebounding was their largest advantage. The Cavaliers had 10 offensive rebounds and 50 total rebounds, while the Mavericks had four and 38, respectively. With 30 points on 10-for-19 shooting, Harrison Barnes was the top scorer from either team.
Dallas could put on a ball-control clinic in this showdown. Dallas ranks third in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.2 percent), while Portland forces the first-fewest turnovers (12.6 percent).
Portland holds records of 48-29 straight up (SU) and 43-27-7 against the spread (ATS). Games involving the Trail Blazers tend to go under the O/U total (55.8 percent).
Meanwhile, Dallas is 23-54 SU and 39-38 ATS. Games including the Mavericks also have gone under the total 54.5 percent of the time.
Jusuf Nurkic has averaged 16.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.8 blocks and 1.8 steals over the last five games for Portland.
The Trail Blazers have emerged victorious in both games against the Mavericks this year, including a 14-point victory in their last matchup. Portland covered as a 1.5-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 200 points, which was 8 points below the projected point total of 208 points. The Trail Blazers had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (25.6 vs. 15.4) and had a better free throw rate (0.241 vs. 0.146). Ed Davis recorded a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds.
Portland Trail Blazers at Dallas Mavericks ATS Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Trail Blazers, ATS Winner – Mavericks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Portland is 21-13-3 ATS with 22 unders and 15 overs.
At home, Dallas is 19-20 ATS with 21 unders, 17 overs and 1 push.
In games where they allow below 100 points, Portland is 25-5 and Dallas is 16-13.
The Trail Blazers are 43-16 when they score over 100 points, while the Mavericks are 17-26.
Portland ranks eighth in second chance points per game (13.4) while Dallas ranks last (10.2).
The Trail Blazers rank seventh in blocks per game (5.2) while the Mavericks rank 28th (3.8).
Portland ranks fourth in rebounds per game (45.4) while Dallas ranks 25th (41.1).
The Trail Blazers rank 10th in fast break points allowed per game (11.1) while the Mavericks rank 28th (14.3).
Dallas ranks fourth in three pointers attempted per game (32.5) while Portland ranks 19th (28.1).
The Mavericks rank 18th in assists per game (22.6) while the Trail Blazers rank last (19.6).
Portland ranks 22nd in points in the paint per game (43.0) while Dallas ranks 29th (38.5).
The Mavericks rank 24th in steals per game (7.1) while the Trail Blazers rank 27th (7.0).
Dallas is 26th in the league with 14.7 points off turnovers per game while Portland is 29th with 14.2 points off turnovers per game.
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Portland is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Dallas is 2-3 ATS with 5 unders over their last five games.
The Trail Blazers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.2, up from 3.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Mavericks have scored an average of 94.6 points per game (7.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 98.6 points per game (6.3 below their season average).
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