NBA Handicapping Predictions – Mavericks vs Thunder
While the injury-plagued Magic are locked into the 6th spot in the Eastern Conference the Grizzlies have a lot on the line in this home game.
Venue/ Stadium Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, OK
Time/Date: 9:30 PM EST Monday, April 30, 2012
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: OFF
Spread (ATS): Thunder -6.5
Over/Under: 194.5
Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Preview
Kevin Durant hit the game winning jumper in Game 1 and unless Dallas and unless the Mavs figure out how to contain him and Russell Westbrook they will be going back to the Big D down 2-0 in this series. These 2 combined for 53 points in Game 1. NBA lines have the Thunder as 6.5-point home favorites tonight with a total of 194.5.
In Game 1 the Thunder narrowly beat the Mavs 99-98.
This season the Mavs are 33-34 ATS with an O/U record of 34-33 and the Thunder are 35-32 ATS with an O/U record of 32-35.
Dirk Nowitzki was solid in Game 1 going for 25 points and scoring 11 points in the 4th quarter. The Thunder sent 2 guys to defend him in the final period and if the game is close again and that happens again the other Mavs will have to step up and hit the big shot.
The Thunder scored 20 points off the fast break in Game 1 and the Mavs must play better D off transition tonight. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Thunder escaped Game 1 with a win only shooting 6/16 from the free throw line and with the guys they have they must attack the rim more and shoot better from the charity stripe.
While Jason Terry had a solid Game 1 the same cannot be said for Jason Kidd, who was only 2/8 from the floor and he will need to help Dirk and Terry out on offense. However, he did have 7 steals in the game and the Thunder have to be more careful with the rock tonight.
The Thunder have to play better perimeter defense tonight and not allow the Mavs to shoot a 3-pt FG% of 45.5% like they did in Game 1.
Serge Ibaka went for 22 points in Game 1 and while Westbrook and Durant will get their points the Mavs cannot allow other OKC players to have big scoring games.
In some betting trends for this Western Conference playoff game the Mavs are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record, 8-3-1 ATS in their last 12 games as a road underdog of 5.0-10.5, and they have an Over record of 4-1 in their last 5 road games.
The Thunder are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games, 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall, and they have an Over record of 7-3 in their last 10 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Jason’s Pick: I think the Thunder will come out and play much better in Game 2 tonight and they will win tonight and cover the spread.
