Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

Dallas Mavericks made it all the way through to the Finals series last season but have endured a mixed start to the new campaign as they sit 10th in the West with a 6-7 record.

The Mavs did manage to halt a four-game slide by beating San Antonio Spurs last time out but they face a far sterner test on Sunday at Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Thunder have genuine championship dreams of their own this season after opening up with an 11-2 run, the best record in the West and second best overall.

The hosts do have a couple of key men absent as starting center Chet Holmgren looks set to miss a fourth successive game with a hip issue and veteran guard Alex Caruso has a similar problem, but they have managed to maintain their form despite their injury concerns. 

Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder betting picks and predictions

Oklahoma City Thunder -5.0 (-110)

Dallas triumphed 117-116 when these sides last met in May to wrap up a series win in six games in the Western Conference semifinals in the playoffs, and Sunday’s game offers Oklahoma City Thunder a chance to take some revenge.

The Thunder have been almost perfect at home with a 7-1 record after eight games, losing to the Golden State Warriors, and have outscored visiting teams by an average of 12.5 points at the Paycom Center.

OKC may have fallen short in the postseason against the Mavs last term but they did win both regular season games at home, which included a huge 135-86 blowout victory back in March.

Dallas’ real struggles have come on the road and four of their seven defeats have come in their five road games. The Mavs lost by 12 points at Phoenix Suns in their first trip of the season but have been more competitive since then, with their last three road defeats coming by a combined total of just six points, 

However, Dallas are facing a team in red-hot form on Sunday and a side who have a point to prove after last season’s playoff series defeat. The Thunder are coming into this game after three successive wins and all of those victories have come by six or more points, so they can cover a -5.0 handicap in the Point Spread against the Mavs. 

Luka Doncic over 27.5 points (-115)

Dallas star Luka Doncic had a quiet game by his standards in the win over the Spurs earlier this week so expect a positive reaction from the Slovenian on Sunday.

Doncic had 16 points against San Antonio, way below his 28.3 average for the season, on 6-for-16 shooting from the field. The guard was also uncharacteristically wasteful from the foul line, missing two of his three free throw attempts, and it would not be a surprise to see him put in a big display in Oklahoma City even if that isn’t enough to guide Dallas to a win.

Doncic has scored at least 28 points in six of his last nine games and in eight of 11 for the season. The 25-year-old had at least 29 points in five of the six playoff games between these sides last term and in both of the regular season games he played against the Thunder, so 28 points more more looks a very attainable figure for Dallas’ lynchpin.  

Cason Wallace over 3.5 rebounds (+140)

Cason Wallace is beginning to establish himself as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s starting backcourt partner in his second season in the NBA with six of his 13 appearances this season coming as a starter, having largely been limited to a bench role in his rookie season.

Wallace is averaging 3.3 rebounds per game for the season and he’s made exactly four in his last two games. The 21-year-old, who hails from Dallas, has made at least four boards in five of his last eight games and he can go over 3.5 against the Mavs on Sunday. 

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Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder odds

Dallas Mavericks	+180 ML
Oklahoma City Thunder	-220 ML
Spread	OKC Thunder -5.0
Total Points	230.5

Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder player props

Player Points

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC Thunder)	O/U 31.5
Luka Doncic (DAL Mavericks)	O/U 27.5
Kyrie Irving (DAL Mavericks)	O/U 21.5
Jalen Williams (OKC Thunder)	O/U 21.5
Klay Thompson (DAL Mavericks)	O/U 14.5
Luguentz Dort (OKC Thunder)	O/U 12.5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.