Oklahoma City Thunder (34-6) vs. Dallas Mavericks (22-19)
January 17, 2025 8:30 pm EDT
The Line: Dallas Mavericks +6.5; Over/Under: 222.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks collide at the American Airlines Center on Friday night. Here’s a Mavericks vs Thunder Prediction. This article will include a Mavericks vs Thunder Pick.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been in red-hot form as they’ve won 19 of their last 21 games overall and they will be gunning for a fifth straight victory after routing the Cavaliers in a 134-114 statement win last night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 40 points and eight assists on 17 of 26 shooting, Luguentz Dort added 22 points on eight of 11 shooting while Jalen Williams chipped in with 19 points, six rebounds, and five assists. As a team, the Thunder shot 50 percent from the field and 18 of 53 from the 3-point line as they dominated right from the tipoff and outscored the Cavaliers by 75-49 in the first half. The Thunder exploded for 44 points in the third quarter to lead by as many as 42 points at one stage. The Thunder will take on the Nets after this game.
Dallas Mavericks
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks have been doing it tough lately as they’ve lost eight of their last 10 games overall. The Mavs will be hoping to arrest a three-game skid after getting beaten by the Pelicans in a 119-116 road defeat on Wednesday. Daniel Gafford led the team with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks on 12 of 13 shooting, Jaden Hardy added 21 points off the bench while Spencer Dinwiddie chipped in with 20 points. As a team, the Mavericks shot 47 percent from the field and 12 of 35 from the 3-point line as they played well for most of the game and looked to be in control when they led by seven points in the fourth quarter. The Mavs went cold and got outscored by 21-11 in the final 5:58 to allow the Pelicans off the hook in the end.
Why the Dallas Mavericks will win
- The Mavericks have won three of their last four games as underdogs against the Thunder.
- The Thunder have lost five of their last six road games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Mavericks.
- The Mavericks have covered the spread in five of their last six games as home underdogs against the Thunder.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games as road favorites when playing with a rest disadvantage.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won each of their last eight night games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Mavericks have lost five of their last six games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last eight games as favorites.
- The Mavericks have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 10 games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Thunder’s last six night games against the Mavericks following a home win has gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Mavericks’ last four games as home underdogs against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back has gone UNDER the total points line.
Mavericks vs Thunder Prediction
The Mavericks are still missing Luka Doncic and Dereck Lively and they also have Kyrie Irving listed as questionable, while the Thunder are still missing Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren. The Mavericks have really struggled to keep their heads above water without Luka Doncic and the recent return of Kyrie Irving wasn’t enough to hold off the Pelicans on Wednesday. In contrast, the Thunder have been the benchmark of the league and they just made light work of the red-hot Cavaliers who were beating everyone. It’s always tough to play on zero days’ rest, but the Thunder should have no trouble in this one as long as they don’t look past this depleted Mavericks squad.
