The Oklahoma City Thunder are the favorites to reach the NBA Finals according to the NBA odds, and they face off against the 2024 NBA Western Conference champions, the Dallas Mavericks. Oklahoma City has been dominating the NBA, winning 16 of their last 17 games. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s inspired play has made a significant difference, and the defensive work rate from the entire lineup has allowed the wins to accumulate. The Mavericks have been missing Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving for the last couple of weeks and have struggled as a result. The duo could be healthy enough to make their return against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but will it be enough to extinguish the hottest team in the NBA?
Matchup: Thunder vs Mavericks Overview
- Teams: Oklahoma City Thunder at Dallas Mavericks
- Date: Friday, January 17th, 2024
- Time: Tip-off is at 8:30 PM EST or 7:30 PM local time
- Venue: American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas
Win Probabilities:
The Oklahoma City Thunder have rattled off 16 wins in their last 17 games and are clear favorites to extend their winning run, according to the NBA win probabilities. Despite the fact that the Oklahoma City Thunder are on the road, they have been given a 76.08% chance to beat the Dallas Mavericks. The Thunder have the best defensive rating in the league and will clamp down on a shorthanded Mavericks team. Dallas has been able to put up a fight without Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving and still has a 23.92% chance of defending their home court against the NBA leaders, according to the NBA win probabilities.
Projected Final Score:
One of the most difficult tasks in the NBA can be projecting the final score. However, by using insights from recent NBA games, referencing expert NBA picks and predictions, and carefully analyzing the injury reports, a projected final score has been generated. The projected final score for the Oklahoma City Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks matchup is Oklahoma City Thunder 115-107 Dallas Mavericks.
Thunder vs Mavericks Odds
The NBA odds have the Oklahoma City Thunder as a significant favorite over the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks have struggled without their superstars in the lineup, and even if one or both of them return for this game, the Thunder will be clear road favorites on the NBA odds. Oklahoma City is well-rounded; they are incredibly deep and will be favorites on the NBA odds in almost every game this season.
Expert Prediction: Who Wins?
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder Could Win
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been dominant in the NBA, and they will be confident they can extend their hot streak against the Dallas Mavericks in this NBA game. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been incredibly consistent, scoring 20+ points in 35 consecutive games. A reliable scorer like him, combined with the league’s best defense, makes the Thunder a very difficult matchup on a nightly basis.
To secure the victory and meet the spread, the Thunder must not underestimate the Mavericks. The Dallas Mavericks have been struggling, but the looming return of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving could give them the spark they need. Regardless of the Mavericks’ lineup, Oklahoma City must exert their utmost effort. If they can keep their concentration heading into this matchup, there is no reason to expect anything other than a dominant Thunder victory for your NBA predictions.
Why the Dallas Mavericks Could Win
The Dallas Mavericks will be hoping Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic can suit up to upset the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Mavericks have lost 6 of their last 8 games and are beginning to slide down the Western Conference standings. Klay Thompson is well past his prime, and Spencer Dinwiddie and Derek Lively cannot be trusted against the league’s top teams. The Mavericks appear to be just trying to stay afloat until their superstars return, but that strategy will not work against a ruthless Thunder team.
Dallas will need to use a heavy dosage of three point shots if they hope to pull off a massive upset. The Thunder do a great job at closing down shooters behind the arc, but the Mavericks won’t have another option as they hope to keep pace with Oklahoma City. The three point shot is the great equalizer in the modern-day NBA, and the Mavericks will need to use that weapon early and often against the Thunder.
How to Make Oklahoma City Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks Picks
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