The Thunder host the Mavericks in the NBA playoffs on Wednesday in Game 5! This series has been great with it tied at 2-2 heading back to Oklahoma City. Each team honestly has a great chance at winning and it could go either way. We now continue our NBA odds series with a Mavericks-Thunder prediction and pick.

The Mavericks have made it work with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, despite all the doubts people have had about the dynamic between the two and this postseason has been a great example of that. The key is going to continue to be if they can find more production outside of those two. PJ Washington has been that third scorer and Dereck Lively has also stepped up as well. The Thunder have more balance and that is a massive reason why the series is currently tied at 2-2. The Mavericks have the best dynamic duo left in the playoffs and those two can carry them on any given night. They just need more help to get out of this series against a younger and deeper team like the Thunder.

The Thunder swept the Pelicans in the first round, but this series has been more competitive. They are young, and playing a very fun brand of basketball on both offense and defense. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren are great and make up a core three for the Thunder that can carry them this postseason. The key is what happens down low because the Mavericks have more depth when compared to the Thunder. Their perimeter play has been what has gotten them to this point and will be the key to getting out of this series overall.

Here are the NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

NBA Playoffs Odds: Mavericks-Thunder Game 5 Odds

Dallas Mavericks: +4.5 (-112)

Moneyline: +152

Oklahoma City Thunder: -4.5 (-108)

Moneyline: -180

Over: 213 (-110)

Under: 213 (-110)

How to Watch Mavericks vs. Thunder Game 5 

Time: 9:30 pm ET

TV: TNT

Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)

Why The Mavericks Could Cover The Spread/Win

The Mavericks have been one of the best offensive teams in the NBA this season thanks to their main duo. They were 7th in scoring offense at 117.9 points per game. They were also 11th in total field goal percentage and 13th in three-point percentage at 48.1% and 36.9% respectively. In the postseason, the Mavericks are averaging 105.7 points per game, 44.8% from the field, and 35.2% from behind the arc. Three Mavericks are averaging over double digits in scoring with Luka Doncic leading the way at 26.7 points per game. Doncic also leads the way in rebounding at 9.6 per game and then in assists at 8.8 per game. Doncic has done everything he can for the Mavericks so far in the postseason and he will need to continue his high-level play in this game, especially with the game tied.

The defense for the Mavericks has struggled at times this season but has been better in the postseason. They were 20th in the league in scoring defense, allowing 115.6 points per game. They were also 20th in field goal percentage at 47.5% and 18th in three-point percentage at 36.8%. In the postseason, there has been a big difference and they are allowing 103 points per game, 43.7% from the field, and they are allowing 36.5% from behind the arc. Three Mavericks average over one steal per game with Kyrie Irving leading the way at 1.6 per game. Derrick Jones Jr. tied for the lead in blocks with Daniel Gafford at 1.5 per game and is one of three players that average over one block per game. The defense for the Mavericks is a massive key in this series against the Thunder overall.

Why The Thunder Could Cover The Spread/Win

The Thunder emerged this year in large part because of their offense thanks to their youth. They were third in scoring offense, averaging 120.1 points per game. The Thunder were also third in total field goal percentage at 49.9% from the field and they are the best three-point shooting team in the NBA at 38.9% from behind the arc. In the postseason, the offense has taken a dip a bit but is still elite. They are averaging 106.1 points per game, 46.1% from the field, and 37.1% from behind the arc. Four different Thunder players average over double digits with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way at 29.5 points per game. He also leads the way in assists at six per game.

The defense for the Thunder has been very good this season. They were 11th in scoring defense, allowing 112.7 points per game. They were also third in total field goal percentage defense in the NBA at 45.5%, and then sixth in three-point shooting at 36.1% from behind the arc. In the postseason, they have been great on defense, and they are allowing 96.6 points per game, 41.1% from the field, and 32.5% from behind the arc. Four different players average at least one steal per game with Jalen Williams leading the way at 1.5 steals per game. Chet Holmgren has also been a huge difference maker, leading the way in blocks at three per game and in rebounds at 8.1 per game. They dominated the Pelicans thanks to their defense and their defense has been very good against the Mavericks up to this point too.

Final Mavericks-Thunder Prediction & Pick

The Mavericks let Game 4 slip through their fingers and this is a perfect spot for them to bounce back. The Thunder have momentum back home, but the Mavericks are the play in this game. Expect the Mavericks to cover and win thanks to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving leading the way.

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Final Mavericks-Thunder Prediction & Pick: Mavericks +4.5 (-112)