The Dallas Mavericks (12-13) travel to Paycom Center Sunday to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder (8-17). Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Mavericks vs. Thunder odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Mavericks are coming into this game continuing their three-game road trip, having lost in Indianapolis to the Pacers Friday. They lost by 13.
In this one though, they’ll be without superstar G Luka Doncic. Dallas has been the third-worst team ATS this season, sitting at just 10-15 ATS. However, they’re 3-1 ATS as road favorites.
As for the Thunder, they’re 15-10 ATS this season and 6-4 ATS as home underdogs, the sixth-best record in the league under those circumstances. The Thunder are led by star G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Mavericks at Thunder odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:23 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Mavericks -190 (bet $190 to win $100) | Thunder +155 (bet $100 to win $155)
- Against the spread (ATS): Mavericks -4.5 (-110) | Thunder +4.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 206.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Mavericks at Thunder key injuries
Mavericks
- G Luka Doncic (ankle) out
Thunder
- None.
Mavericks at Thunder odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Mavericks 99, Thunder 98
Money line
PASS on the money line. While I like the Thunder to keep it close, I don’t think their money line at +155 is worth putting any type of unit on.
Against the spread
BET on the THUNDER +4.5 (-110) as SGA will be the best player on the court, and they’ve been a covering machine so far this season.
While the Thunder rank dead last in terms of efficiency, they are 17th in turnover rate, so they don’t necessarily turn the ball over much.
With the Mavericks not being a great rebounding team and the Thunder able to get shots up and not give the ball away, the OKC should be able to get points on the board.
Without Doncic, the Mavs will have to rely upon Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jalen Bruson. I’m not ready to tell people to put money on those two leading the way. I’d rather back SGA and company at home.
The Mavs have lost all four games without Doncic this season, all losses coming by more than 5 points.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the UNDER 206.5 (-107) as the Mavs play a different style of basketball without Doncic, and it’s significantly more inefficient.
In three of the four games the Mavs have played without Doncic, they’ve failed to top 100 points. The offense just doesn’t have that go-to option with him on the bench.
Couple that with the Thunder being the worst team in the league in terms of true shooting percentage, and I’d side with fewer points in this one.
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