The Portland Trail Blazers (24-21) will try to extend their five-game home winning streak in a matchup against the Dallas Mavericks (15-30) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The game is scheduled to start at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 20, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 209 points with Portland opening as a 5-point favorite.
Dallas Mavericks at Portland Trail Blazers Free Prediction
In the Mavericks’ last contest, they were topped by the Denver Nuggets, 105-102. Denver won the rebounding battle. The Nuggets had 15 offensive rebounds and 47 total rebounds, while the Mavericks had five and 35, respectively. Dennis Smith Jr. was Dallas’ leading scorer with 25 points on 11-for-18 shooting.
The Trail Blazers were victorious over the Indiana Pacers in their last outing, 100-86. The Trail Blazers knocked down 16 of their 16 free throws (100.0 percent) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 28.0 (above their season average of 22.8). With 19 points and 17 rebounds, Jusuf Nurkic had a good outing for Portland.
Dallas could put on a ball-control clinic in this meeting. Dallas ranks first in the league at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.3 percent), while Portland forces the third-fewest turnovers (13.2 percent).
Dallas heads into the contest with records of 15-30 straight up (SU) and 23-22 against the spread (ATS). Of the Mavericks’ 45 games, 24 have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Portland is 24-21 SU and 20-21-4 ATS. Trail Blazers games have a tendency to go under the total (60.0 percent).
Smith Jr. has averaged 16.8 points, 4.8 assists and 1.6 steals over the last five games for Dallas.
After splitting four games last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the most recent game, the Trail Blazers won 114-113. Portland out-rebounded Dallas. The Trail Blazers had more offensive rebounds (18 vs. two), defensive rebounds (37 vs. 28) and total rebounds (55 vs. 30).
Dallas Mavericks vs. Portland Trail Blazers Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Mavericks, ATS Winner – Mavericks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Dallas is 12-9 ATS with 11 unders and 10 overs.
Portland is 7-12-3 ATS at home with 15 unders and 7 overs.
Dallas is 11-8 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Portland is 15-4.
The Mavericks are 10-14 when they reach 100 points, while the Trail Blazers are 19-11.
Portland ranks sixth in blocks per game (5.2) while Dallas ranks 29th (3.7).
The Trail Blazers rank sixth in fast break points allowed per game (9.9) while the Mavericks rank 27th (14.4).
Dallas ranks fourth in three pointers attempted per game (32.0) while Portland ranks 23rd (25.9).
The Trail Blazers rank 12th in second chance points per game (12.8) while the Mavericks rank last (9.3).
Portland ranks ninth in rebounds per game (44.6) while Dallas ranks 26th (40.2).
The Mavericks rank 14th in assists per game (22.5) while the Trail Blazers rank last (19.0).
Portland ranks 22nd in points in the paint per game (42.0) while Dallas ranks last (38.8).
The Mavericks rank second in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.1) while the Trail Blazers rank 10th (15.6).
Neither of these teams are great at stealing the ball. Portland is 25th in the NBA with 6.9 steals per game while Dallas is 26th with 6.7 steals per game.
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Dallas is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Portland is 1-4 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Mavericks have outscored opponents by an average of 1.2 points in their last five games. On the season, Dallas has been defeated by an average of 2.0 points.
During their last five games, the Trail Blazers have scored an average of 109.2 points per game (5.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 111.4 points per game (8.4 above their season average).
