New Orleans Pelicans vs Dallas Mavericks Betting Picks & Predictions
In a highly anticipated matchup, the New Orleans Pelicans and the Dallas Mavericks, two teams vying for a playoff spot in the Western Conference, will face off on Saturday.
Game outlook
In a highly anticipated matchup, the New Orleans Pelicans and the Dallas Mavericks, two teams vying for a playoff spot in the Western Conference, will face off on Saturday. The Pelicans currently hold the 6th spot in the conference, while the Mavericks are just half a game behind in 7th. New Orleans will have the disadvantage of playing on the second night of a back-to-back, having played in Denver the night before. On the other hand, Dallas will be coming off a home win against the Knicks. This will be the third meeting between these teams this season, with the series currently tied at 1-1. The game is scheduled to begin at 8:30 EST at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, with Dallas being favored to win by 2.5 points.
Betting Odds
Moneyline: Pelicans +115 | Mavericks -135
Spread: Pelicans +2.5 (-110) | Mavericks -2.5 (-110)
Total: Over/Under 231.5 (-110)
Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Dallas will win straight-up is 57%.
New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans have been led by their top three players, CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson, who have been instrumental in the team's recent success. Although McCollum recently missed some games due to a collapsed lung, he has returned to join Ingram and Williamson in propelling the Pelicans towards the playoffs. However, both Ingram and Williamson are currently dealing with minor injuries. Despite their injuries, the Pelicans have won six of their last seven games, with big man Jonas Valanciunas leading the team in their previous victory over the Warriors. Brandon Ingram has been the top scorer for the Pelicans this season, averaging 22.0 points per game, as well as the team's leading playmaker with 5.4 assists per game. Unfortunately, he has been hindered by an achilles injury and may not be able to play in the upcoming matchup. Likewise, Zion Williamson's quadricep injury also puts his availability for the game in question. CJ McCollum has contributed significantly to the team's offense, averaging 19.7 points and 5.0 assists per game, while also being the team's top shooter from beyond the arc. Jonas Valanciunas and Herbert Jones have also been impactful starters for the Pelicans. The team has two double-figure scorers coming off the bench in Trey Murphy III and rookie Jordan Hawkins. According to dunksandthrees.com, the Pelicans rank 13th in offensive efficiency, 9th in defensive efficiency, and play at the 16th fastest pace in the NBA. In terms of injuries, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, and Trey Murphy III are all listed as questionable. The Pelicans hold a power ranking of 4 and are ranked 11th in offense, 5th in defense, with a record of 0-3 this season. Offensively, they have impressive percentages in field goals (48.67%), free throws (76.75%), and three-pointers (38.22%). They also average a high number of rebounds, offensive assists, and have a low number of turnovers. Defensively, their opponents have relatively high field goal and free throw percentages, but they excel at defending three-pointers and have strong defensive rebounding numbers. Overall, the New Orleans Pelicans are a well-rounded team with a solid record and strong performance on both ends of the court.