Dallas Mavericks vs
Oklahoma City ThunderPredictions & Preview

Mavericks vs Thunder set to tip off in highly anticipated NBA playoff series

The NBA playoffs' second round has commenced, featuring an anticipation-filled series between the top-seeded Oklahoma Thunder and the fifth-seeded Dallas Mavericks. Game one is set to take place on Tuesday at 9:30 ET at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, OK. The Thunder are the favored team with a -3.5 opening line that has not shifted.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Mavericks +136 | Thunder -160
• Spread: Mavericks +3.5 (-110) | Thunder -3.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 217 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Oklahoma City will win straight-up is 62%.

Dallas vs Oklahoma City Stats

Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks secured a 114-101 home victory in game six against the Clippers, closing out the series and advancing to face the Thunder in the next round. Dallas had the edge in key statistical categories, such as field goal percentage, three-point shooting, and turnovers. The upcoming series against the Thunder is seen as a coin flip by sportsbooks, with both teams having -115 odds to advance to the Conference Finals. Dallas is also priced at +380 to win the Western Conference and +900 to win the NBA title. Luka Doncic has been the standout player for the Mavericks this postseason, leading the team in scoring, rebounding, and assists. In terms of power rankings, Dallas ranks 8 in offense and 18 in defense, with a 54-34 record for the season. Offensively, the Mavericks have strong shooting percentages but struggle in free throw shooting. Defensively, they allow a high field goal percentage but excel in limiting opponents' three-point shooting.

Oklahoma City Thunder Analysis

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been the subject of much speculation heading into the playoffs due to their youth and inexperience. However, they performed impressively in the first round, defeating the New Orleans Pelicans in four games. Despite some lingering question marks, the Thunder are favored to advance in their upcoming series, although not by as much as one might expect for a #1 seed. In terms of future odds, they are seen as underdogs to win the West. The team has been led by the standout performances of Shair Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, who have excelled in scoring, assists, rebounding, and blocks. The Thunder have demonstrated strong offensive capabilities, ranking among the top teams in field goal percentage, free throw percentage, and three-point shooting. Defensively, they have also performed well in various categories, reflecting a balanced and competitive team.

Potential Playoff Upset: Mavericks Poised to Challenge Thunder Despite Regular Season Dominance

In the four regular season matchups between these teams, the Thunder emerged victorious three out of four times with scores of 126-120, 146-111, 126-119, and 135-86. It should be noted that regular season performance does not always predict playoff outcomes. At the current 3.5 point spread, I am inclined to favor the Mavericks. Their impressive performance in the first-round series against the Clippers was highlighted by their strong defensive performance in particular. Despite ranking 16th in defensive efficiency during the regular season, the Mavericks held their opponents to just 100.3 points per game. Additionally, the Mavericks possess a considerable advantage in playoff experience. Based on these factors, I believe that Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have a good chance of keeping the game close if not securing a victory.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ]