The Mavericks are hosting the Thunder on Sunday. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Oklahoma City is favored 16.5 points and this game carries a total of 233.5 points.
Let’s dive into my preview and pick for the game.
Mavericks vs. Thunder Preview
The Mavericks are 0-2 vs. the Thunder this season, losing the most recent matchup by 21 points and things could get ugly for Dallas again Sunday. The Mavericks have lost four of their last six, most recently with a 19-point home loss to the understaffed Grizzlies, who had dropped three straight prior to that tilt.
Dallas’ issues are a result of the team dealing with an overabundance of injuries. Kyrie Irving (knee) won’t play this season and Cooper Flagg (knee) is out without a timetable for a return. Plus, Marvin Bagley (neck) is out tonight and both P.J. Washington (doubtful, ankle) and Naji Marshall (doubtful, finger) aren’t expected to play, either.
Marshall has been huge in Flagg’s absence and Marshall exiting early this past Saturday was one of the main reasons the Mavericks got blown out by Memphis. Without Marshall, Dallas is extremely shorthanded on scorers, with Brandon Williams, Max Christie and Khris Middleton being the best remaining options. Now coming to town is the Thunder and their league-best defense and in this matchup, the Mavericks should severely struggle to score the ball.
This defending champion Oklahoma City team sits atop the NBA’s standing at 46-16 and ranks first in net rating by a solid gap. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal) just returned from a nine-game absence this past Friday and the Thunder defeated the Nuggets in overtime in Denver, 127-121. Jalen Williams (hamstring) is still out and he has only played in 26 games this season, but Oklahoma City is 27-8 with Williams inactive.
The Thunder are obviously a better team with Williams healthy, but they are still one of the top teams in the league even when he is absent, given their elite coaching and depth. Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren will lead the way tonight, and Cason Wallace, Alex Caruso, Jaylin Williams and Isaiah Joe will all take on larger roles with Williams sidelined.
Mavericks vs. Thunder Pick, Best Bet
This shorthanded Mavericks team doesn’t have a chance of beating the Thunder, even though this game is in Dallas. Oklahoma City should get an easy win and while backing the Thunder -16.5 is viable, I prefer to back Dallas for under it’s team total of 107.5 points.
Oklahoma City’s defense is the best in the league and the Mavericks should be a disaster on offense with Marshall likely joining the team’s lengthy inactive list.
