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

Prediction published on 12/05/2024, 16:50  by Devesh Jaganath in NBA Predictions

The Oklahoma City Thunder will square off against the Dallas Mavericks in Game 4 of their Western Conference semi-finals NBA Playoffs series on Monday night. The Mavericks lead the series 2-1.

The Dallas Mavericks have staged a remarkable comeback after a resounding defeat in the first game of the series, clinching victory in the last two games and now leading the series 2-1. In Game 3 on Saturday afternoon, the Mavericks showed resilience to secure a hard-fought 105-101 win at the American Airlines Center. Luka Doncic led the charge with 22 points and 15 rebounds, while P.J. Washington Jr. contributed 27 points, just two shy of his playoff high set in Game 2. However, the standout performance of the night belonged to Kyrie Irving, who rebounded from just the third single-digit scoring game of his extensive playoff career with 14 points in the second half. Irving's six consecutive points in the fourth quarter helped the Mavericks to their largest lead of the final period, extending it to nine points. Rebounding dominance remains a top priority for the Mavericks, with the duo of Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford posing significant challenges for their opponents. Moreover, it's crucial for the rest of the team to continue to step up, especially considering Doncic's evident injury.

Meanwhile, the top-seeded Oklahoma City have now suffered consecutive losses after an initial 5-0 start in the playoffs. Despite holding a ten-point lead at one point in Game 3, they ultimately fell short, finding themselves at a 2-1 deficit in the series. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, undoubtedly the team's standout player, delivered another impressive performance, becoming the first guard in NBA history to record at least 30 points, ten assists, and five blocks in a playoff game, setting a career record for himself. However, during critical moments, he struggled to find his rhythm, making only one field goal in the fourth quarter (1/6) and committing two turnovers. Although the Thunder had superior shooting percentages compared to their opponents in Game 3, they still suffered a loss. The primary issue for the Oklahoma City Thunder was their lack of defensive rebounding, which significantly contributed to their defeat. It's worth noting that Jalen Williams sustained a minor injury in the third game, prompting concerns about its potential impact on him for the remainder of the series.