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The Dallas Mavericks host the Oklahoma City Thunder for a Western Conference battle! It's time to continue our NBA odds series with a Thunder-Mavericks prediction and pick.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are trying their best to remain competitive. It's very difficult when there is only one true superstar on the roster. It gets even worse when that one superstar is now out through the All-Star break with an ankle injury. The Thunder are (15-34) on the season and it's going to be a long month of February for them.
The Dallas Mavericks are starting to play better as of late and are (29-22) on the season which is good for 6th in the West. They are actually coming off of a two-point loss to the Orlando Magic which is not a good sign at all but they had won three of their previous four games. This should be the game to get the Mavs in the 30-win column.
Here are the Thunder-Mavericks NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Thunder-Mavericks Odds
Oklahoma City Thunder: +12 (-110)
Dallas Mavericks: -12 (-110)
Over: 205.5 (-108)
Under: 205.5 (-112)
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Why The Thunder Could Cover The Spread
The Thunder will have a very hard time covering its spread with their best player out. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been everything for OKC. He's averaging 22.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. The next best player for OKC is Luguentz Dort who is averaging 16 points per game. This team just doesn't have the roster to beat the good teams, but they have been competitive despite the lack of talent. OKC is 29-17-2 against the spread this season. That ranks among the top of the entire league and that means they have been in close games, even though they come out on the wrong end of the result. With Gilgeous-Alexander out, it's going to take a group effort to try and keep things close. The good news for OKC is they are coming off a win over the Portland Trail Blazers 98-81.
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Why The Mavericks Could Cover The Spread
Dallas should have zero issue covering this spread with the Thunder's only true star out tonight. This is a large spread so it won't be a given, but the Mavericks are surely capable of doing so. Dallas will be without Kristaps Porzingis as he recovers from a bone bruise in his right knee. They still have Luka Doncic and that is all they need tonight. He is tearing it up right now averaging 25.6 points, 8.9 assists, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.2 steals on the season. He's about 5-straight triple-doubles away from averaging a triple-double on the season!
Even though OKC is 2-8 in their last 10 games, they have managed to keep their defensive efforts up by only allowing 108 points per game. Usually, with that many consecutive losses, the defense starts to really shut down. That hasn't been the case as the Thunder are finding ways to disrupt their opponent's flow and keep games close until the end. the Mavericks will need to break away late in the game if they want to cover this large spread.
Final Thunder-Mavericks Prediction & Pick
If Gilgeous-Alexander was playing, I would choose the Thunder to cover this spread. But because he is out, I am taking the Mavericks to cover this spread. Dallas should get back on track and beat the Thunder easily here. Consider taking the over as well as both teams should reach 100 points pretty easily.
Final Thunder-Mavericks Prediction & Pick: Mavericks -12 (-110) & over 205.5 (-108)