Dallas Mavericks vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction, 5/9/2024 Preview and Pick

Game: Dallas Mavericks vs Oklahoma City Thunder

Date: Thursday, May 9, 2024

Location: Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, OK

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Dallas (+3)

The Dallas Mavericks are traveling to Paycom Center on Thursday where they will go up against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals. The Thunder lead the series 1-0. Oklahoma City opens this game as 3-point favorites. The total is set at 214.

The Mavericks took a loss by a final of 117-95 in Game 1. When it comes to fouls, the Mavericks ended up finishing with 21 and the Thunder accumulated 18 fouls. They made 16 of 35 attempts from distance. Oklahoma City walked away from this one shooting 75.0% when shooting free throws by knocking down 21 of 28 attempts. Moreover, Oklahoma City grabbed 52 rebounds (16 offensive, 36 defensive) and had 8 blocks. Oklahoma City earned 29 assists and had 8 steals in this game. Regarding defense, Dallas allowed 44.9% from the field on 40 out of 89 shooting. They also recorded 19 dimes for the game in addition to forcing the other team into 9 turnovers and having 5 steals. Pertaining to hauling in rebounds, they collected a total of 39 with 11 of them being of the offensive sort. From the charity stripe, the Mavericks converted 17 of their 25 shots for a percentage of 68.0%. Dallas ended the contest with a 39.3% field goal percentage (33 of 84) and made 12 out of their 35 3-pointers.

Kyrie Irving is a player who came through in the matchup. Irving finished 50.0% from the field and earned 3 dimes. He was on the court for 37 minutes played and also snagged 1 rebound. He totaled 20 points on 7 out of 14 shooting.

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Dallas comes into this game with a win-loss record of 50-32 for the campaign. They lose possession via turnover 12.5 times per game and as a group they commit 18.3 fouls on a nightly basis. As a unit, Dallas is collecting 42.9 rebounds per contest and is sitting with 2,106 dimes on the season, which ranks 19th in basketball in terms of passing the rock. The Mavericks are shooting 36.9% on shots from beyond the arc (1,197 of 3,242) and 75.8% from the charity stripe. They currently have an average of 117.9 points per game (7th in basketball) on 48.1% from the field.

On the defensive end, the Mavericks are forcing 13.7 turnovers on a nightly basis while drawing 20.3 fouls. They surrender 36.8% on shots from beyond the arc and they are 20th in the league in points per game allowed (115.6). The Mavericks are giving up a field goal percentage of 47.5% (3,522 of 7,413) and they surrender 45.1 boards per contest as a unit. They are currently ranked 22nd in the NBA in allowing assists with 2,258 surrendered this year.

Regarding how they rebounded in Game 1, Oklahoma City permitted Dallas to get 39 in all (11 offensive). They wrapped up this game 34.3% from beyond the perimeter by shooting 12 out of 35 and finished the contest at 17 out of 25 from the free throw line (68.0%). The Thunder permitted the Mavericks to convert 33 out of 84 tries from the floor which gave them a percentage of 39.3% for the matchup. At the conclusion of this game, the Thunder went 40 for 89 from the floor which had them sitting at 44.9%. Pertaining to shots from beyond the arc, Oklahoma City knocked down 16 of their 35 tries (45.7%). They were able to make 21 of them for a percentage of 75.0%. The Mavericks had 21 personal fouls in this game which took the Thunder to the free throw line for 28 shots. They also turned the ball over 9 times, while earning 8 steals for this game. The Thunder snagged 36 defensive boards and 16 offensive boards for a total of 52 for the contest.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was important for the Thunder for this game. Gilgeous-Alexander tallied 29 points in his 37 mins on the court and tallied 9 dimes for the game. He converted 8 of 19 for the contest for a field goal rate of 42.1%, and totaled 9 rebounds.

Oklahoma City has a record of 57-25 this year. The Thunder have committed 18.8 personal fouls every game and they go 82.5% from the free throw line. Their rate of dishing out assists is at 27.1 times per game (11th in the NBA) and they lose possession via turnover 12.7 times per game. Oklahoma City has totaled 9,847 pts for the season (120.1 per game) and they pull in 42.0 boards per game. In terms of offensive execution, the Thunder are shooting 49.9% from the field, which is 3rd in the NBA.

The Oklahoma City defense concedes 36.1% on 3-point attempts (1,101 of 3,052) and opponents are knocking down 78.9% of their foul shots. They have given up 26.9 assists and 44.7 rebounds every game, which has them ranked 18th and 23rd in basketball. The Thunder on the defensive end are ranked 11th in the league in PPG allowed with 112.7. They are forcing 15.7 turnovers on a nightly basis and have let teams shoot 45.5% from the field (3rd in the NBA).

Who will win tonight's NBA game against the spread?

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Oklahoma City (-3)

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