Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks Game 6: Western Conference Playoffs – Second round
The Dallas Mavericks have a chance to advance to the conference finals when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder at the American Airlines Center on Saturday.
Can the Thunder get back in the series?
The Oklahoma City Thunder could have been in the driver’s seat in this series, but losing Game 5 at home puts them with their backs against the wall. The Thunder shot only 42.5% from the field and 25% from three-point territory. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was as good as usual, scoring 30 points, while Chet Holmgren added 13.
Is this the season for the Mavs?
The Dallas Mavericks had a rough start to the series, but just like in the series against the Los Angeles Clippers, they bounced back when needed. After losing Game 4 at home, they went to OKC and won 104-92. Luka Doncic recorded a triple-double of 31 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds. Derrick Jones Jr. had the best game of the series, scoring 19 points on 7 of 9 shooting from the field.
Betting Trends
The Mavericks are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games overall, 15-5 SU in their last 20 games as favorites and 6-12 SU in their last 18 games on Saturday. Dallas is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 games overall and 11-4 ATS in the last 15 games against teams from the Northwest Division. They have played under the total point margin in 5 of the last 6 games against OKC, 14 of the last 18 games at home and 14 of the last 20 games against teams from the Western Conference. The Thunder are 11-3 SU in the last 14 games overall and 4-1 SU in the last 5 games on the road. They are 10-5 ATS in the last 15 games against the Mavericks, 6-2 ATS in the last 8 games in Dallas and 9-4 ATS in the last 13 games overall. They have played under the total point line in 6 of their last 7 games overall, 10 of the last 12 games against teams from the Western Conference and 9 of the last 11 games against teams from the Southwest Division.
Prediction and Conclusion
This game will be all what the NBA playoffs are about. The Mavericks have a chance to close the game at home, while the Thunder need to win on the road to stay alive. The Thunder won the last game in Dallas, but things will probably not go in their favor tonight. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have been through many playoff battles, and this is the season for them to get to the conference finals. The Mavericks will have full control of this game and close out the series.
