Oklahoma City Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction 5-9-24 Picks

The Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder collide at the Paycom Center in NBA Game 2 on Thursday night. Here’s a Oklahoma City Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction.

Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks will be looking to bounce back and square up the series after getting run over by the Thunder in a 117-95 loss in Game 1 on Tuesday. Kyrie Irving led the team with 20 points, Luka Doncic added 19 points with six rebounds and nine assists while Daniel Gafford chipped in with 16 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks. As a team, the Mavericks shot just 39 percent from the field and 12 of 35 from the 3-point line as they struggled to keep pace with the young Thunder early on and allowed 39 points in the second quarter to fall behind by double digits and things only got worse in the fourth quarter where they managed just 16 points to allow the Thunder to finish in a romp.

Why the Dallas Mavericks will win

• The Mavericks have won four of their last six games as underdogs against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
• The Thunder have lost five of their last six Game 2s of a playoff series.
• The Mavericks have covered the spread in each of their last six games as road underdogs following a road loss.
• The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in three of their last four Western Conference Semifinals games as favorites following a win.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder must be brimming with confidence after how they were able to dismantle the Mavericks in the series opener on Tuesday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 29 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, Chet Holmgren added 19 points with seven rebounds and three blocks while Jalen Williams chipped in with 18 points and five assists. As a team, the Thunder shot 44 percent from the field and 16 of 35 from the 3-point line as they took control of the contest with a 39-point explosion in the second quarter to jump out in front before they played stifling defense to limit the Mavericks to just six points in the final 6:49 to run away with it and hold onto home-court advantage. Lugentz Dort had a quiet Game of just seven points on two of nine shooting while Josh Giddey finished with just two points.

Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win

• The Thunder have won each of their last 10 games.
• The Mavericks have lost each of their last eight road games against Northwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
• The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last eight games against the Mavericks following a win.
• The Mavericks have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five Western Conference Semifinals road games.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the Mavericks’ last six games as underdogs have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Seven of the Thunder’s last eight playoff games have gone UNDER the total points line.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction

The Mavericks were a little concerned about Doncic’s knee, but he has reportedly practiced Wednesday and is expected to start, while the Thunder are coming in with the same squad that won big on Tuesday. The Mavericks are capable of squaring up the series if they played the defense that got them past the Clippers in the first round. The Mavs also need more bench support, and they need to keep SGA off the free throw line. I might be tempted to take the Mavericks if we were getting more free points, but with the line where it is, I prefer a play on the Thunder to stay hot with another win and cover at home.