Nuggets vs. Mavericks: NBA Betting Preview, Tips and Picks – December 18, 2023

Written By PlayPicks Staff on December 18, 2023

The Denver Nuggets (17-10) host the Dallas Mavericks (16-9) on December 18, 2023 at Ball Arena. The Nuggets are big favorites, by 8.5 points, in a matchup featuring two of the NBA’s best players, the Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic and the Mavericks’ Luka Doncic. The over/under is set at 237.5 points for the matchup.

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Nuggets vs. Mavericks Betting Odds

Favorite Spread Total
Nuggets -8.5 237.5

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Injury Report as of December 18

Nuggets: Vlatko Cancar: Out (Knee), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: Questionable (Concussion)

Mavericks: Maximilian Kleber: Out (Toe), Kyrie Irving: Questionable (Foot), Richaun Holmes: Questionable (Illness), Dereck Lively II: Out (Ankle), Josh Green: Out (Elbow)

Computer Picks

Spread Pick Mavericks (+8.5)
Total Pick Under (237.5)

Predictions are calculated by a data-driven algorithm (raw power score) that ranks head-to-head matchup results within a closed network of games. Prediction confidence is determined by the delta between each team’s raw power score.

Nuggets vs. Mavericks Stat Rankings

Nuggets Avg. (Rank) Mavericks Avg. (Rank)
114.7 (15th) Points Scored 119.9 (6th)
110.8 (6th) Points Allowed 117.1 (22nd)
44.6 (11th) Rebounds 42.2 (23rd)
11.6 (10th) Off. Rebounds 10.2 (21st)
11.6 (23rd) 3pt Made 15.9 (1st)
29.7 (2nd) Assists 25.7 (16th)
11.7 (3rd) Turnovers 11.6 (2nd)

Best Betting Site for Nuggets vs. Mavericks

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Nuggets Key Players

Name GP PTS REB ASST STL BLK 3PM
Nikola Jokic 26 27 12.4 9.5 1.2 0.8 1.2
Jamal Murray 13 18 3.2 6 0.5 0.7 2.2
Michael Porter Jr. 27 16.8 8 1.5 0.5 0.7 2.8
Reggie Jackson 27 13.4 2.3 4.6 0.7 0.3 1.7
Aaron Gordon 23 13 7.2 3.6 1 0.7 0.4

Mavericks Key Players

Name GP PTS REB ASST STL BLK 3PM
Luka Doncic 24 32.7 8.3 9.1 1.3 0.5 3.8
Tim Hardaway Jr. 22 17.7 3.5 1.5 0.3 0 3.5
Derrick Jones Jr. 24 10 3.7 1 0.8 0.8 1.6
Grant Williams 22 9.7 3.7 1.7 0.4 0.5 2.2
Dante Exum 22 8.1 2.8 2.5 0.5 0.2 0.8

Betting Trends

  • Against the spread, the Nuggets are 11-15-1 this season.
  • Denver’s ATS record as 8.5-point favorites or more is 3-3-1.
  • There have been 11 Nuggets games (out of 27) that hit the over this year.
  • Denver and its opponent have broken the 237.5-point mark seven times this season.
  • The over/under in this game is 237.5 points, 12.0 higher than the average total in Nuggets games this season.
  • The Mavericks have 14 wins in 25 games against the spread this year.
  • Out of 25 Mavericks games so far this year, 18 have gone over the total.
  • Dallas’ games have finished with over 237.5 points scored 15 times this season.
  • The over/under for this game is 0.5 points higher than the average scoring total for Mavericks games (237.0).

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