Dallas Mavericks vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 10/05/2024, 14:36  by Devesh Jaganath in NBA Predictions

The first game in a crucial 2-game slate this Saturday will see the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder face off in Game 3 of the NBA Playoff Conference semi-finals. The series is tied at 1-1 as we head to the American Airlines Center in Texas.

In Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals, the Dallas Mavericks secured a hard-fought 119-110 victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder, leveling the series at one game apiece. After a dominant performance by the Thunder in Game 1, Thursday's win allows the Mavericks to breathe a sigh of relief and temporarily steal home-court advantage. P.J. Washington shone with 29 points, including seven 3-pointers, while also contributing 11 rebounds and two steals. Despite playing through pain, Luka Doncic delivered another stellar performance with 29 points, ten rebounds, and seven assists, particularly shining in the crucial moments late in the game.  However, there was plenty aside from Doncic to like about the Mavs, in what was a true team effort, which doesn’t often happen for them. The Mavericks overcame their Game 1 three-point shooting struggles to make their first five attempts from beyond the arc in Game 2, with Doncic and Washington both hitting their first three attempts from deep. With the series now returning to their home court, the Mavericks hold the advantage.

The Thunder, coming off a first-round sweep of the Pelicans, had maintained a stout defensive record in the postseason, not allowing more than 95 points in a game until Thursday night. Despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's impressive performance of 33 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists in the series-tying loss, the Thunder fell short. Jalen Williams contributed 20 points, but apart from Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder's overall team effort, particularly on defense, was disappointing. To counter Doncic's offensive prowess, they must find a way to limit his shot opportunities, focusing on effective one-on-one defense. Notably, while the Thunder's bench had outscored the Mavericks' bench 42-23 in Game 1, the Mavericks managed to even the bench battle at 33-30 in Game 2, with Tim Hardaway Jr. contributing 17 points. Still, The Thunder’s problems from Game 2 are all fixable but are issues nonetheless, and making the proper adjustments going into Game 3 will be a priority.