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Dallas vs. Oklahoma City NBA Basketball Preview & Free Pick

NBA Basketball Matchup: Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

This isn’t the way the defending champions envisioned their title defense starting out. Dallas was blown out by Miami in a rematch of last year’s title in the season opener.

8:00 PM EST on TNT
NBA Gambling Odds from Bookmaker
NBA Betting Favorite: Thunder -7
Over/Under: 196.5

They were then blasted by Denver. Both of the Mavericks losses came at home. Oklahoma City is a young team that continues to get better each year. The Thunder have high expectations this year. Oklahoma City is 2-0 coming into this game. It’s a battle of two of the top teams in the Western Conference on the first edition of TNT Thursday night basketball for this season.

Dallas made a lot of moves in the offseason, and it seems like the team needs some time to adjust. Lamar Odom was a big pickup, but he has been awful in the team’s first two games. Odom is averaging five points per game and he is shooting just 12.5% from the floor. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

Odom should get things figured out before long, and I expect him to help this team. Vince Carter is also working his way into the system, and it will be interesting to see if he can be a third scorer for the Mavericks. Dirk Nowitzki was clutch all through the playoffs last year, and he creates a mismatch against every team the Mavericks take on. Shawn Marion was the team’s defensive stopper last year, and he played a big role in the team’s title.

Oklahoma City is loaded with young talent. The Thunder are led by Kevin Durant. Some experts say Durant is the best player in the NBA right now. Durant is a pure scorer who can light it up from everywhere on the floor. Russell Westbrook is an ultra-talented point guard who is another guy that can fill it up in a hurry. Westbrook needs to improve his shot selection at times, but I think he will continue to mature as a player. James Harden is quickly becoming the team’s third scoring option. Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins give the team a quality tandem in the post.

The Mavericks don’t have the team chemistry they had at the end of last season, but they are a proud team. I think Oklahoma City wins this, but I like Dallas to cover the spread.

Prediction: Oklahoma City 101 Dallas 97

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By Kyle Hunter

Kyle Hunter sports picks – A degree in finance and a great ability to follow important trends and statistics set him apart from the rest. Totals are Kyle's specialty, so look for a lot of totals picks from NBA, NCAAF, & the NFL. Check out his plays today.