The Oklahoma City Thunder (34-7) and Dallas Mavericks (22-19) will meet in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. EST at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The game will broadcast live on KFAA and NBA League Pass.
The Thunder are 8-point favorites over the Mavs on the spread (Thunder -8), with the over/under set at 225 total points. Oklahoma City is a -340 favorite to win outright, while Dallas is +270 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Thunder vs. Mavericks predictions and NBA picks for Friday, January 17.
Thunder vs. Mavericks Picks, Prediction
Spread
My Mavericks vs. Thunder best bet is on Oklahoma City to cover the spread as big road favorites, with the best line currently available at BetMGM. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
Moneyline
I like the Thunder to win and cover the spread. However, the moneyline price is too steep for me in this spot.
Over/Under
I'm staying away from the total in tonight's matchup.
My Pick: Thunder -8
Thunder vs. Mavericks Odds
| Thunder Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-8 -110 | 225 -110 / -110 | -340 |
| Mavericks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+8 -110 | 225 -110 / -110 | +270 |
- Thunder vs. Mavericks spread: Thunder -8
- Thunder vs. Mavericks over/under: 225 total points
- Thunder vs. Mavericks moneyline: Mavericks +270, Thunder -340
- Thunder vs. Mavericks best bet: Thunder -8 (-110)
Thunder vs. Mavericks Preview
Last Wednesday, the Thunder faced the Cavaliers in a matchup of the teams with the two best records thus far this season. It was one of the best games of the season, but the Thunder came out on the losing end in a 129-122 defeat. However, the Thunder were able to avenge that loss with a 134-114 thumping of the Cavaliers last night.
Some have called the matchup an early NBA Finals preview. Tonight's game against the Mavericks may be a Western Conference Finals preview after the teams faced off in the Western Conference Semifinals last year. Like last night's game, the Thunder will be looking to avenge that series loss as well.
This will be the third regular season meeting in this series and the teams have split the first two matchups, which were both in Oklahoma City. This matchup will not feature Luka Doncic as the Mavericks' superstar remains out with a left calf strain.
The Mavericks also will not have center Dereck Lively II after he suffered a right ankle sprain in Tuesday's loss to the Nuggets. The Mavs did get Kyrie Irving back in that game, but he had a rough shooting night and missed the following game in New Orleans.
Irving is questionable for tonight's game with a back sprain.
Meanwhile, the Thunder will be without center Isaiah Hartenstein for at least a week with a calf injury. The big man is averaging a double-double in his first year with the club, but Oklahoma City did not miss him last night. A smothering defensive effort and an MVP-level performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander helped the Thunder cruise to victory last night.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points on 17-for-26 shooting from the field and dished out eight assists as well. He became the second player this season to score 40 points in 29 minutes or less. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 32 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 2.1 steals this month.
The emergence of Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams has led to Lugentz Dort taking a step back offensively over the last few years. However, last night, he stepped up with 22 points and knocked down six of his nine 3-point attempts. Dort is shooting 40.4% on 5.5 3-point attempts per game this season.
For Dallas, PJ Washington has not shot the ball this well this month at just 37% from the field, but he is still averaging 13.8 points and 8.6 rebounds for the month. He is coming off a 14-point and 14-rebound performance in New Orleans.
Washington was a key factor for the Mavericks in last year's playoff series against Oklahoma City and he had 27 points and 17 rebounds against in Dallas' win over the Thunder in November.
Another player to keep an eye on for the Mavericks tonight is Jaden Hardy. The 22-year old has scored 20 points twice in January. He is averaging 14.3 points and shooting 51.3% from three this month. However, any points props for him likely will be unavailable until Irving's status is determined.
Thunder vs. Mavericks Prediction
By dominating the Cavaliers last night, the Thunder set themselves up for success tonight as well. Only Jalen Williams played 30 minutes (30 exactly) among Thunders starters last night, while Aaron Wiggins played 33 minutes off the bench.
As a result, the Thunder will be fresh as they look to extend their winning streak to five games.
At 34-6, the Thunder have been dominant this season, but they cover almost as much as they win. The Thunder are 26-12-3 against the spread and they have been the most profitable team to back this season. They are also 11-5-2 ATS as a road favorite this season and 5-2 ATS on the second night of a back-to-back.
Meanwhile, Dallas is just 8-10-2 ATS as an underdog this season. It may be without Irving once again, but even if he plays, I like Oklahoma City here given how each team is playing at the moment.
The Mavericks have lost three straight and eight of their last 10 games. I am expecting that streak to continue tonight as Oklahoma City covers on the road.
If Irving is out, Washington will be needed to step up and continue his strong play against the Thunder. Washington has scored 14 points in five of his last eight regular season games against the Thunder. He has scored 20 points in four of them, which is of interest considering his points + rebounds line is 22.5 tonight. The Thunder are 28th in rebounds allowed as well.
Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander is as consistent as it gets when it comes to scoring 30 points. He has scored 30 in eight of his last 10 games and seven of his last 11 regular season games against the Mavericks. He is equally consistent when it comes to racking up steals as he has recorded at least two steals in six straight and in eight of his last 10 games.
Dort has been consistent from deep himself this season. He has knocked down two 3s in 62% of his games this season as well as in seven of his last 10 games. When you add it up, we get a parlay that comes out to +460 at DraftKings.
Best Bet: Thunder -8 (-110)
Same Game Parlay Picks
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30+ Points
- PJ Washington Over 22.5 Points + Rebounds
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 2+ Steals
- Lugentz Dort 2+ Three-Pointers Made
Parlay Payout: +460
Mavericks vs. Thunder Betting Trends
