Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Predictions, Picks and Preview – 2016 NBA Playoffs – Western Conference First Round Game One – April 16, 2016

The true season of the NBA finally begins, and the entire basketball world better buckle up for another promising one. And speaking of which, this first-round series matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder  should live up to the expectations.

Let’s now get right into the action with our preview of Game 1 below. And while you’re at it, check out our other preview of another series-opener between the Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview

Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

When: Saturday, April 16, 2016, 9:30 PM ET

Line: Dallas Mavericks at Oklahoma City Thunder – view all NBA lines

TV Broadcast: ESPN

Betting on the Dallas Mavericks

This marks the Dallas Mavericks’ third-consecutive playoff appearance and the odds of them advancing into the next round are not looking good at all. Well, that’s mainly because they’ll be facing a team—the Oklahoma City Thunder—that swept them in their regular-season series, 4-0.

Despite this, the Mavs certainly have a fighting chance of beating OKC. They have a very reliable trio of veterans in Dirk Nowitzki, Deron Williams and Wesley Matthews who all know how to deliver the goods at this crucial time of the year.

Nowitzki has played a total of 140 playoff games, during which he’s averaging incredible numbers of 25.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Yes, his averages have considerably declined, but nonetheless, the former NBA champion is still contributing enough this season. Nowitzki is putting up 18.3 point with 6.5 rebounds per contest.

Williams and Matthews, meanwhile, have had their fair share of good moments in the postseason, averaging 32.8 points combined. That playoff experience should help Dallas in one way or another.

Ultimately though, defense will decide the fate of the Mavs. After all, they’ll be trying to hold off the best scoring duo in the NBA right now—Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

Dallas, which is surrendering 102.7 points in the regular season, is 5-5 SU and 8-2 ATS in its last 10 road games.

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Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder

This is the moment that Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have been waiting for.

All season long, those two have given their all on a nightly basis for the goal of putting the Thunder in a good position to win the title.  And now, it’s time to continue taking care of business when they lock horns with the Dallas Mavericks in the opening round.

Durant is averaging 28.2 points per game and has scored at least 20 or more points since the game versus the Jazz on November 23. Westbrook, on the other hand, has made his presence felt in an arguably much more impressive way. The 27-year-old point guard has been doing it all, posting 23.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 10.4 dimes across 80 games. That stretch includes 18 triple-double performances, which ties him with the great Magic Jonson for the most ever in a single season.

However, the Durant and Westbrook show might need a new star on its cast especially at this stage of the year, wherein the pressure really kicks in.  That being said, Serge Ibaka, who is contributing 12.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game, has got to play at a higher level from now on.

Besides Ibaka, the pair of Enes Kanter and Dion Waiters ought to make sure to step up as well and lead the way for the second unit. The two are racking up 12.7 and 9.8 points, respectively, this season.

OKC is 7-3 SU and 5-4-1 ATS in its last 10 home games.

Writer’s Prediction

OKC wins it, 111-99.