Oklahoma City Thunder at Dallas Mavericks Free NBA Picks & Odds
by Josh Schonwald - 3/24/2014
Tuesday, March 25, 8:00 PM on TNT
American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here
With about a dozen games left in the season, Tuesday night's meeting between the Thunder and Mavs could be a possible first round playoff preview. OKC currently holds the #2 seed in the West while Dallas is in the 8th. The Mavericks need to focus on making the playoffs first though as the hard-charging Phoenix Suns are only a ½ game back.
OKC was their usual dominant self during a 3-game road trip recently where they posted a 3-0 record, although they were just 1-2 against the spread. Tuesday night's game against Dallas is the always-tough second half of a back to back matchup but OKC faced a similar situation just last week and was able to get a 97-85 win over the Bulls in Chicago.
The Mavs have been slightly better than mediocre lately which is usually a death sentence for teams fighting for a playoff berth. Still despite a 6-4 record in their last 10 Dallas has managed to stave off Phoenix for now. They'll be the more rested team on the 5th of an 8 game home stand but have only posted a disappointing 2-2 record thus far.
Dallas adopted the strategy of let Kevin Durant get his points but stop everybody else in their 104-86 win on March 16th. Granted Russell Westbrook missed that game with a scheduled rest day but Durant's 30 points wasn't enough to even keep the Thunder close. Shawn Marion led 5 players in double figure scoring with 19 points but Dallas as +7.5 road underdogs were able to get an impressive outright victory.
ATS Trends
Oklahoma City is 18-16-0 ATS on the road this season
Oklahoma City is 17-17-0 against the over/under on the road this season
Dallas is 16-19-0 ATS at home this season
Dallas is 20-15-0 against the over/under at home this season
Injuries to Watch
Oklahoma City
03/23/14 G Russell Westbrook Rest questionable
03/02/14 G Thabo Sefolosha Leg out indefinitely
02/22/14 C Kendrick Perkins Groin out indefinitely
Dallas
03/24/14 G Jose Calderon Facial injured last game, questionable
Josh's Pick: Take Oklahoma City
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