Date: Friday, January 3, 2025
Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Broadcast: KFAA
This Friday at the American Airlines Center, the Dallas Mavericks (20-12) will take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (27-4) in what promises to be an exciting game.
The Cavaliers recently triumphed over the Nuggets, winning with a score of 149-135. Throughout the game, Cleveland committed 17 personal fouls compared to Denver’s 20. Cleveland made 15 out of 31 attempts from beyond the arc, while Denver converted 14 of 18 free throws, achieving 77.8%. The Nuggets recorded 38 rebounds (8 offensive, 30 defensive) and notched 7 blocks. They also tallied 39 assists and 8 steals. Defensively, Cleveland allowed the Nuggets to shoot 56.4% from the field on 53 of 94 attempts. Cleveland contributed 40 assists, forced 13 turnovers, and made 10 steals. The Cavaliers collected 38 rebounds (9 offensive) and registered an 81.8% free throw percentage, hitting 18 of 22 attempts. Overall, Cleveland boasted an impressive shooting percentage of 56.3% (54 of 96) and made 23 of their 48 3-pointers.
Donovan Mitchell was instrumental in the game, completing it with a shooting efficiency of 58.8% and dishing out 6 assists. Playing for 30 minutes, he also grabbed 5 rebounds and scored 33 points on 10 of 17 shooting.
Access all of our NBA Picks Tonight
Cleveland enters this matchup with an outstanding 27-4 record this season. The Cavaliers average 122.7 points per game (2nd in the NBA), shooting 50.6% from the field. They hit 40.9% of their 3-point attempts (505 of 1,236) and maintain a free throw shooting rate of 77.6%. On average, Cleveland secures 43.4 rebounds per game and has distributed 896 assists, ranking 8th in the league for team assists. They turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times and commit around 18.3 fouls per game.
Defensively, the Cavaliers have forced 15.9 turnovers per game while allowing 19.1 fouls. They limit opponents to 37.5% shooting from beyond the arc, ranking 11th in points per game allowed (111.0). Cleveland’s defense gives up a shooting percentage of 45.6% and surrenders 43.4 rebounds per game, ranking 8th in allowing assists with a total of 787 assists given up this season.
The Mavericks, meanwhile, faced a setback in their last game, losing 126-122 against the Trail Blazers. Dallas managed to secure 30 defensive rebounds and 10 offensive boards, totaling 40 rebounds for the game. They committed 13 turnovers but recorded 6 steals. The Trail Blazers committed 19 personal fouls, allowing the Mavericks 26 free throw attempts, of which they converted 21, resulting in an 80.8% success rate. Dallas scored 15 out of 38 attempts from 3-point range (39.5%) and finished the game with a shooting percentage of 48.3% (43 of 89). Defensively, the Mavericks allowed the Trail Blazers to shoot 50.0% from the floor (46 of 92) while permitting an additional 11 of 26 from long range for a 42.3% average. Portland achieved 23 of 29 at the free throw line (79.3%). Dallas allowed Portland to grab 50 total rebounds (14 offensive).
Kyrie Irving was a standout performer for the Mavericks, scoring 46 points in 39 minutes, while contributing 2 assists and 2 rebounds with a shooting accuracy of 61.5% (16 of 26).
Dallas holds a record of 20-12 this season. Offensively, they shoot 48.4% from the field, ranking 5th in the league. The Mavericks have netted 3,765 points throughout the season, averaging 117.7 points per game, and they average 45.1 rebounds per game. They assist their teammates 25.3 times per game (18th in the NBA) and turn the ball over 14.2 times per game. The Mavericks commit an average of 19.1 fouls per game and convert 77.6% of their free throw attempts.
Defensively, the Mavericks allow 35.7% shooting from 3-point range (418 of 1,170) and opponents shoot 76.8% from the free throw line against them. They allow 26.7 assists and 43.9 rebounds per game, ranking 20th and 16th in those categories, respectively. In points allowed per game, the Mavericks rank 13th in the NBA with 111.5 points surrendered. They force an average of 14.3 turnovers per game and restrict opponents to shooting 45.3% from the field (5th in the league).
Free Parlay Pick: Bet on Dallas (+7.0) & Over (230.5)
