The Oklahoma City Thunder’s win over the Memphis Grizzlies just before the All-Star Break have made the playoff race in the Western Conference a little bit more interesting. With that victory, the Thunder are now just half a game behind the Phoenix Suns for the conference’s eighth spot. Will they be able to jump into the playoff picture by beating the Dallas Mavericks this coming February 19th?
It’s all Western Conference games on the first day of the NBA season’s second half, as the San Antonio Spurs and the LA Clippers play in the only other matchup. Click here for a full preview of that game.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Preview
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma CIty
When: Thursday, February 19, 2015, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder — view all NBA lines
Betting on the Dallas Mavericks
Dirk Nowitzki got the nod to play in the All-Star Game as a replacement for Anthony Davis, but he’s probably more stoked with the Mavericks’ 87-82 win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.
[sc:NBA240banner ]Nowitzki scored 15 points and grabbed a season-high 14 rebounds and teamed up with J.J. Barea, who finished with 22 points, to repulse a pesky Jazz team. Barea has been playing steady as Rajon Rondo’s replacment in the Mavs’ starting five. He has put up 13.2 PPG and a team-leading 5.8 APG over the Mavs’ last six games.
Although the Jazz scored just 30 points inside the paint, the Mavericks nonetheless felt the absence of Tyson Chandler (ankle). They were thoroughly dominated on the glass, as Utah outrebounded them, 52-38.
Chandler, however, can benefit from a long rest and will likely be available in the Thunder game. The 13-year vet is averaging 10.7 PPG and 11.8 RPG thus far this season. Chandler was out with back spasms in the first meeting with the Thunder on December 28, but behind the hot hands of Nowitzki (30 points) and Chandler Parsons (26), the Mavericks bucked his absence and pulled off a 112-107 win. Monta Ellis also added 18 points.
Ellis, who wasn’t expected to play against Utah after suffering a hip injury in the game before against the LA Clippers, surprisingly saw action, but only scored seven points in 37 minutes. Like Chandler, the long break will help Ellis return to top form come the Thunder match. Ellis is the Mavs’ leading scorer, averaging 19.8 PPG on 45.4 percent field goal shooting.
The Mavs are 3-1 SU and ATS in their last four road games.
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Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder
It doesn’t matter what the Thunder’s record is, the fact is that they’re going to be one heck of a team to face with Kevin Durant putting up MVP numbers on almost any given night. Behind Durant’s 26 points, the Thunder improved to 28-25 after ending their first half schedule with a 105-89 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. It was the Thunder’s third win in as many games.
Durant (25.9 PPG) has clearly elevated his play this month, wherein he has put up an average of 30.5 PPG. The uptick in Durant’s scoring output was mostly brought about by his sudden going berserk from the outside over the last four Thunder games. During that stretch, Durant went 16-for-31 from the three-point region for an absurd 51.6%. Although the law of averages may get to him as soon as the Dallas game, expect him to get his chances as the Mavericks are among the worst in defending against the three.
On a per game basis, Dallas opponents are making 8.7 three-pointers on 24.0 attempts thus far this season.
Durant wasn’t present in the Thunder loss to Dallas back in December due to a sprained ankle, leaving Serge Ibaka (13.8 PPG, 7.5 RPG) and Russell Westbrook (25.8 PPG, 7.6 APG) with most of the heavy lifting on offense. Ibaka imposed his will against a Chandler-less Mavs, scoring 26 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, while Westbrook finished with 18 points and nine assists.
Ibaka and the rest of OKC’s frontline will have to control the boards to help slow down Dallas’ offense that is third in the league in scoring with 106.3 PPG. Oklahoma City seems to be up to that task as the team is tops in the league in rebounding with 46.5 RPG.
The Thunder are 9-1 SU in their last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Oklahoma City wins, 106-103.
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