The San Antonio Spurs (12-17) will be at the American Airlines Center to meet the Dallas Mavericks (19-10) in a Southwest Division matchup. Action begins at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 26, 2019, and can be seen on Fox Sports – Southwest.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks Betting Odds
Both teams covered in their last outing. The Spurs (1-point favorites) defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 145-115, while the Mavericks (3.5-point underdogs) fell to the Toronto Raptors, 110-107. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The San Antonio game finished 31 points over the projected point total of 229, while the Dallas game finished 6.5 points over the projected point total of 210.5.
San Antonio played a nearly perfect game. They had a phenomenal effective field goal percentage of 0.758 (above their season average of 0.514) and a free throw rate of 0.112 (matching their season average). Memphis was 0.547 and 0.104, respectively, for those same stats. Dallas, on the other hand, held Toronto to an effective field goal percentage of 0.447 (below their season average of 0.529). Kristaps Porzingis put together a good outing for Dallas with 19 points and 12 rebounds. San Antonio, meanwhile, was led by LaMarcus Aldridge, who put up 40 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
In their first matchup this season, Luka Doncic led the Mavericks to a 117-110 victory. He registered a triple-double with 42 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds. The two teams combined for 227 points, which was just over the projected point total of 224.5, and Dallas covered as a 5-point favorite. Dallas’ free throw rate was their biggest strength over San Antonio. The Mavericks had a rate of 0.190, while the Spurs posted a mark of 0.146.
Spurs games have a tendency to finish over the projected point total (58.6 percent). San Antonio heads into the contest with records of 12-17 straight up (SU) and 8-19-2 against the spread (ATS).
Games featuring the Mavericks also tend to finish over the O/U total (65.5 percent). Moreover, Dallas is 19-10 SU and 18-11 ATS.
Both teams have had a couple of players take their game to the next level over their last five games. Aldridge (17 points,8.6 rebounds,2.2 blocks) and Dejounte Murray (13 points,5.8 rebounds,4.6 assists,2.4 steals) have been stellar for the Spurs, while Porzingis (23 points,13.0 rebounds,2.6 blocks) and Jalen Brunson (12 points,8.2 assists) have made solid contributions to the Mavericks.
Dallas should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. Dallas ranks first in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.0 percent), while San Antonio forces the third-fewest turnovers (12.3 percent).
Spurs at Mavericks Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Spurs, ATS Winner – Spurs, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Spurs rank 24th in points off turnovers per game (15.8) while the Mavericks rank 26th (15.4).
- Dallas ranks second in three pointers attempted per game (40.8) while San Antonio ranks last (26.4).
- The Mavericks average 48.1 rebounds per game, which ranks third in the league. The Spurs rank 22nd in rebounds allowed per game (46.1).
- Dallas ranks seventh in assists allowed per game (22.9) while San Antonio ranks 25th (25.4).
- Neither of these teams are great at stealing the ball. San Antonio is 25th in the league with 6.8 steals per game while Dallas is 27th with 6.4 steals per game.
- The Mavericks rank fourth in second chance points per game (14.9) while the Spurs rank 27th (11.6).
- The Mavericks rank first in blocks allowed per game (3.6) while the Spurs rank sixth (4.5).
- Dallas ranks 24th in points in the paint per game (45.1) while San Antonio ranks 25th (45.0).
- San Antonio ranks eighth in fast break points per game (14.6) while Dallas ranks 29th in fast break points allowed per game (15.9).
- When holding opponents below 100 points, San Antonio is 1-0 and Dallas is 4-0.
- In games where they reach 100 points, the Mavericks are 19-9 and the Spurs are 12-14.
- Dallas is 6-9 ATS at home, while San Antonio is 4-7-2 ATS on the road.
- The Spurs have 8 overs, 4 unders and 1 push in 13 road games.
- Of the Mavericks’ 15 home games, they have 9 overs and 6 unders.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, San Antonio and Dallas have both had 4 overs and 1 under.
- The Spurs are 3-1-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Mavericks are 3-2.
- The Spurs have outscored opponents by an average of 3.6 points in their last five games. On the season, San Antonio has lost by an average of 2.7 points.
- During their last five games, the Mavericks have scored an average of 113.0 points per game (4.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 111.0 points per game (2.1 above their season average).
