The Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder collide at the Paycom Center in NBA Game 1 on Tuesday night. Here’s an Oklahoma City Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction.
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks will be brimming with confidence after they took apart the Clippers in a six-game series in the first round. Luka Doncic has been leading the way with averages of 29.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 9.5 assists per game, Kyrie Irving has caught fire to average 26.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game, while PJ Washington is averaging 10.8 points and 5.3 rebounds but no other teammate is averaging double figures in scoring. As a team, the Mavericks scored an average of 107.0 points while shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 33.5 percent from the 3-point line, but where they were really impressive was on the defensive end as they kept the Clippers to an average of just 100.3 points per game during the first round.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been sitting pretty for a while now as they haven’t played since blowing past the shorthanded Pelicans in a sweep in the first round. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been leading the way with averages of 27.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game, Jalen Williams is averaging 21.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game while Chet Holmgren is averaging 15.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. As a team, the Thunder scored an average of 105.3 points per game while shooting 48.2 percent from the field and 38.7 percent from the 3-point line to make light work of the Pelicans who were missing their best player in Zion Williamson.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won each of their last 14 home games when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Mavericks have lost each of their last nine games at Paycom Center following a home win.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last seven games against the Mavericks following a win.
- The Mavericks have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven games as road underdogs against Northwest Division opponents following a win.
Why the Dallas Mavericks will win
- The Mavericks have won eight of their last nine night games.
- The Thunder have lost each of their last two Western Conference Semifinals games as favorites following a win.
- The road team has covered the spread in 12 of the last 13 playoff games between the Mavericks and Thunder.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games when playing with a rest advantage.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the last six night games between the Mavericks and Thunder have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Mavericks’ last six games at Paycom Center following a home win have gone OVER the total points line.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction
The Mavericks are still a little shorthanded with Maxi Kleber is still out, while the Thunder are coming into this series with a full squad to choose from. The Mavericks looked great in their win over the shorthanded Clippers in the first round, Doncic was his usual superstar self, while Irving really came to the party to seal the deal in Game 6. Meanwhile, the Thunder are still undefeated in these playoffs, they have all their players healthy, and they won the regular season series against the Mavericks by 3-1. You can make an argument for either side, but with the line so short, I have to lean towards the Thunder to take care of business in a gritty win and cover at home.