The Charlotte Hornets (15-23) square off against the Dallas Mavericks (14-28) at Spectrum Center. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 10, 2018, and will air on Fox Sports Carolina.
Charlotte is a 6-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 208 points.
Dallas Mavericks at Charlotte Hornets Free Prediction
The Mavericks will be looking for a similar outcome after topping the Orlando Magic in their last contest, 114-99. The Mavericks had an absurdly low turnover percentage of 4.1 (better than their season average of 11.7) and had a free throw rate of 0.229 (above their season average of 0.166). With 20 points on 8-for-19 shooting, Dennis Smith Jr. was the game’s high scorer.
In the Hornets’ last game, they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 108-94. The Hornets, who came into the game averaging an offensive rebounding percentage of 23.0, had a great mark of 32.0, while the Lakers had a free throw rate of 0.096 (below their season average of 0.185). Kemba Walker led Charlotte in scoring with 19 points on 8-for-17 shooting.
The aggressive Charlotte offense could be living from the charity stripe in this battle. The Hornets currently rank third in the league with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.230, while Dallas is among the league’s most foul-prone squads (giving up a 26th-ranked FTA rate of 0.215). Ball protection should be an advantage for the Mavericks. They rank 1st at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.5 percent), while the Hornets force the fourth-fewest turnovers in the league (opponents’ turnover percentage of 13.4 percent).
Dallas holds records of 14-28 straight up (SU) and 20-21 against the spread (ATS). Just over half of the Mavericks’ games have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Charlotte is 15-23 SU and 15-19-4 ATS. Hornets games tend to go under the total (55.3 percent).
Smith Jr. and J.J. Barea have been playing well over the last five games for Dallas. Smith Jr. has averaged 16.0 points, 7.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Not to be outdone, Barea has recorded 12.2 points and 7.8 assists a game during that span.
After the Hornets won both meetings against the Mavericks last season, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. In the last matchup, Charlotte won 109-101. The Hornets knocked down 26 of their 28 free throws (92.9 percent) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (25.7 vs. 17.0).
Dallas Mavericks vs. Charlotte Hornets Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Mavericks, ATS Winner – Mavericks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Dallas is 10-9 ATS with 10 unders and 9 overs.
At home, Charlotte is 9-10-1 ATS with 12 unders and 8 overs.
Dallas is 11-8 when they allow under 100 points, while Charlotte is 7-2.
When scoring more than 100 points, the Hornets are 15-9 and the Mavericks are 9-12.
Charlotte ranks second in rebounds per game (46.6) while Dallas ranks 26th (40.4).
The Hornets rank eighth in fast break points allowed per game (9.9) while the Mavericks rank last (14.6).
Charlotte ranks ninth in second chance points per game (13.5) while Dallas ranks 29th (9.5).
The Mavericks rank fifth in three pointers attempted per game (31.8) while the Hornets rank 23rd (25.5).
Charlotte ranks 15th in points in the paint per game (43.0) while Dallas ranks 29th (39.1).
The Mavericks rank 13th in assists per game (22.7) while the Hornets rank 25th (20.9).
Charlotte ranks 18th in points off turnovers per game (16.1) while Dallas ranks 29th (13.3).
The Hornets rank second in steals allowed per game (6.6) while the Mavericks rank 11th (7.5).
Charlotte ranks 20th in blocks per game (4.6) while Dallas ranks 27th (3.7).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Dallas is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Charlotte is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Mavericks have outscored opponents by an average of 1.6 points in their last five games. For the season, Dallas has been defeated by an average of 2.0 points.
During their last five games, the Hornets have scored an average of 107.8 points per game (2.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 102.6 points per game (3.4 below their season average).
