The Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder are sitting right next to each other in the Western Conference standings with the 45-29 Mavs placing seventh and the Thunder eighth with a 42-32 slate. In order to avoid an early playoff matchup with No. 1 Golden State Warriors, both teams must keep on winning. Will Dallas cool down the Thunder? Or will the Thunder play the role of rude hosts later tonight? You can also click here for a detailed breakdown of Cavs vs. Heat.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Preview
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City
When: Wednesday, April 1, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Dallas Mavericks (+4.5) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (-4.5); total: 216.5 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks know that now is the worst time to go into a tailspin. Having lost four of their last five games, the Mavericks look to avoid a three-game skid with a win later tonight at Chesapeake Energy Arena, where they are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games there.
[sc:NBA240banner ]Dallas, which lost to the Indiana Pacers, 99-94, on Sunday, has been scoring less than its season average of late. On the season, Dallas is averaging 104.1 points per game. But over their past five games, the Mavs have only put up 92.8 points per contest. Hopefully for the Mavs, leading scorer Monta Ellis can get back into the lineup against Oklahoma City to help address the team’s problematic offense.
Ellis didn’t play against Indiana because of a calf injury, but coach Rick Carlisle is optimistic that the high-scoring guard is ready to play against the Thunder. Ellis is averaging 19.1 points per game this season. In the Mavs’ 119-115 win over OKC on March 16, Ellis torched the Thunder’s defense for 24 points.
Chandler Parsons, however, was the Thunder’s biggest headache in that game, as the Florida product finished the contest with 31 points on an efficient 10-of-14 shooting. Chandler has averaged 21.7 points on an exceptional 54.8 percent shooting in three meetings with the Thunder thus far this season.
Another guard who could return to action for Dallas later tonight is J.J. Barea. Barea is dealing with an ankle injury that forced him to miss the last four games. He is scoring 7.5 points per game off the bench.
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Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder
Russell Westbrook has no chill mode. The Thunder’s MVP candidate scored 33 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and dished out seven assists to lead Oklahoma City to a 109-97 win over Phoenix. The win capped the Thunder’s three-game road trip and served as a springboard for their home game against the visiting Mavericks. The Thunder are 6-0 SU and 5-1 ATS in their last six home games.
Westbrook, however, may have to shoulder a heavier burden against Dallas later if Dion Waiters will miss the game. Waiters missed Tuesday’s practice because of a foot injury and is considered questionable to play. Waiters has proven himself as a capable scorer off the bench, as he is averaging 11.7 points in 39 games in a Thunder uniform this season. Expect Anthony Morrow to see increased minutes if Waiters will eventually be ruled out to play. Waiters and Morrow scored 15 points apiece in the Thunder’s loss to Dallas back in March.
Aside from Westbrook, Oklahoma City will also look for its big men to make a splash tonight. In the Thunder’s loss to Dallas in the previous meeting, Enes Kanter and Steven Adams terrorized the paint as they combined for 34 points and 21 rebounds. Mitch McGary also played great in that game, as the rookie scored 12 points and pulled down 13 boards.
Writer’s Prediction
Oklahoma City (-4.5) wins, 111-108.
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