The Philadelphia 76ers (49-30) will try to extend their 13-game winning streak against the Dallas Mavericks (24-56) at Wells Fargo Center. The game starts at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 8, 2018, and will air on NBATV.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 215.5 points with Philadelphia opening as a 13-point favorite.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Philadelphia 76ers Free Prediction
In the Mavericks’ last matchup, they were beaten by the Detroit Pistons, 113-106. Detroit’s effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Dallas. The Pistons had a rate of 0.565 (above their season average of 0.510), while the Mavericks posted a mark of 0.505. Johnathan Motley was the top scorer from either team with 26 points on 11-for-19 shooting.
The 76ers edged the Cleveland Cavaliers in their last matchup, 132-130. Philadelphia’s 27.3 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over Cleveland, who had a rate of 19.5. The 76ers’ mark was above their season average of 25.2. With 27 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists, Ben Simmons led the way for Philadelphia with his 11th triple-double of the season.
It will be a battle of contrasting paces as the fast-paced 76ers (ranked fourth in the NBA in possessions per game) will look to push the more half-court-oriented Mavericks (26th in possessions per game). Moreover, the Mavericks rank 22nd in offensive efficiency (104.9), while the 76ers rank fourth in defensive efficiency (102.9).
Dallas holds records of 24-56 straight up (SU) and 40-39-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Mavericks games, with 42 unders compared to 37 overs.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia owns records of 49-30 SU and 47-32 ATS. Of the 76ers’ 79 games, 39 have finished over the total.
Several players have played at a high level over the last five games for Philadelphia. Simmons has led the way, averaging 15.4 points, 9.8 assists, 9.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. JJ Redick (20.8 points and 3.4 assists), Ersan Ilyasova (13.0 points and 10.2 rebounds), and Marco Belinelli (16.6 points and 1.4 steals) have also been outstanding.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Simmons put up 23 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in the first matchup, in which the 76ers beat the Mavericks 112-110 but were unable to cover as 0-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 222 points, which was 17.5 points above the projected point total of 204.5 points. Philadelphia had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (26.8 vs. 8.8). Dallas, on the other hand, did a great job of making free throws (15-19; 78.9 percent).
Dallas Mavericks vs. Philadelphia 76ers ATS Pick
NBA Prediction: SU Winner – 76ers, ATS Winner – Mavericks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Dallas is 20-19-1 ATS on the road with 21 unders and 19 overs.
At home, Philadelphia is 26-12 ATS with 20 unders, 17 overs and 1 push.
Dallas is 16-13 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Philadelphia is 20-0.
In games where they score over 100 points, the Mavericks are 18-28 and the 76ers are 46-18.
Philadelphia ranks first in rebounds per game (47.2) while Dallas ranks 27th (41.3).
The Mavericks rank first in points off turnovers allowed per game (13.8) while the 76ers rank 26th (18.5).
Philadelphia ranks fifth in second chance points per game (13.6) while Dallas ranks 29th (10.2).
The 76ers rank eighth in points in the paint per game (46.8) while the Mavericks rank 29th (38.5).
Philadelphia ranks fifth in fast break points allowed per game (10.3) while Dallas ranks 25th (14.1).
The Mavericks rank eighth in steals allowed per game (7.3) while the 76ers rank 27th (8.5).
Philadelphia ranks 10th in blocks per game (5.1) while Dallas ranks 27th (3.8).
The 76ers rank second in assists per game (26.9) while the Mavericks rank 17th (22.7).
Dallas averages 32.7 three pointers per game, which ranks fourth in the league. Philadelphia ranks 16th in three pointers allowed per game (29.4).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Dallas is 2-2-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Philadelphia is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Mavericks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 3.6, up from 2.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the 76ers have scored an average of 117.6 points per game (8.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 105.2 points per game (0.2 below their season average).
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