Dallas Mavericks at New Orleans Hornets Betting Odds


Opening Betting Line : Mavericks -5 / Hornets +5
Over/Under : 190.5

Time: 8 PM EST Wednesday March 9, 2011 on CST

The Mavericks have lost 7 straight games in New Orleans, but that streak may end tonight, especially if the Hornets are without their superstar for another game. All Star PG Chris Paul missed the last Hornets’ loss with a concussion and he is questionable for this game. The Hornets may need Paul back, as in their last loss New Orleans had their lowest point total of the season. Dallas has been on fire for the last month or so and they are coming off a win and are 9-1 in their last 10 games.

Trevor Ariza (11 ppg) is the 3rd leading scorer for New Orleans and he is also questionable for this game with groin injury, but it looks as if he will be on the bench again.

In their last games both teams played on Tuesday night with the Mavericks beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 108-105 and the Hornets losing to the Chicago Bulls 85-77.

Dallas has been a good team to bet on this season going 34-27-2 ATS while New Orleans has only been a decent betting team at 32-33-1.

If Paul cannot go the Hornets will have to really rely on their defense to win this game, as they only rank 27th in the league in scoring. They do have a great D ranking 3rd in the league in opponents’ points allowed and they have one goal in this game and that is to try to contain Dirk Nowitzki (23 ppg 6.6 rpg). The 7-foot German has averaged 26 ppg in his last 6 games while shooting 60.5% from the floor. He has averaged 27 ppg and 9.5 rpg against New Orleans this season.

The Mavs are hoping they can get C Tyson Chandler (10.4 ppg 9.4 rpg) back for tonight’s game, as he is questionable with an ankle injury. Dallas has gone 2-1 in the 3 games he has missed, but their D has struggled giving up over 100 ppg in those 3 games.

Paul is averaging 21 ppg against the Mavs this season and if he and Ariza are not in the lineup David West (18.4 ppg), Emeka Okafor (10.6 ppg), and Marco Belinelli (10.1 ppg) will have to provide the offense. West only had 11 points on 4/17 shooting in the Hornets last loss and he must get back on track in this game.

The loss of Paul will also hurt on D, as without him they will have trouble containing speedy Dallas PG Jason Terry (16.4 ppg).

Betting Trends

Dallas is 8-3 ATS in their last 11 road games, 12-3 ATS in their last 15 road games against teams with a home winning percentage of greater than 60%, and has an Over record of 9-2 in their last 11 road games.

New Orleans is 6-13 ATS in their last 19 games, 1-6 ATS in their last 7 home games, and has an Under record of 6-2 in their last 8 home games.

Dallas is 2-8 ATS in the last 10 games in New Orleans and in the last 4 games between these 2 teams the total has gone Over every time.

Our Selection : The Hornets have lost 5 of their last 10 games, but are on a mini point spread streak (3 stright covers). They have owned this series in New Orleans winning the last 5 straight up. The points may not be needed here, but we'll gladly take them.
The play is on the Hornets +5 at 5Dimes.


Future Betting Odds

NBA Handicapping

Dallas Mavericks at Miami Heat Odds 6-12
The Mavs are up 3-2 in this series heading to South Beach and for the Heat to force Game 7 they will have to play better in the 4th quarter, especially LeBron James. 5Dimes has the hometown Heat as 5-point favorites in Game 6 with a total of 187.

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