The Dallas Mavericks go on the road for their final game of the calendar year to challenge the Oklahoma City Thunder on 12/31/18 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Mavericks Rookie Luka Doncic will face-off against Russell Westbrook after both players set season highs in scoring in their previous game.
The Dallas Mavericks have won just once in the last five games but if there’s a silver lining in these defeats, it’s that rookie Luka Doncic has been nothing short of spectacular. After a pair of games where he put up LeBron James numbers as a teen, Doncic erupted for a career high 34 points in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Mavericks are averaging 111.0 points per game and giving up 110.3 points per game. Those put Dallas at 15th in the league in both scoring categories. The Mavericks are also ranked 14th in rebounding at 45.3 boards per game and 22nd in assists at 22.8 dimes per contest.
Dallas Mavericks vs Oklahoma City Thunder 12/31/18
Moneyline Odds: Mavericks +280, Thunder -335
Odds from betonline.ag as of 12/31/18
The Oklahoma City Thunder started their season at 0-4 but since then, they have been 22-8, the best record in the league over that period. Former MVP Russell Westbrook missed the start of the season but since he’s returned, the Thunder have been rising.In their last game, Westbrook scored a season-high 40 points as the Thunder, playing without Paul George for the first time this season, battered the Phoenix Suns 118-102 on Friday.
The Thunder rank 11th in the NBA in team scoring at 112.1 points per game. They are also the 2nd best team in rebounding at 48.7 boards per contest. Oklahoma City is only 24th in passing at 22.6 assists per game but are 6th in scoring defense at 105.7 points per game.
The Mavericks are 1-7 SU in their last 8 games played. Dallas is just 2-15 on the road this season. Meanwhile, the Thunder are 5-2 SU in their last seven games played and Oklahoma City is an impressive 12-4 SU in 16 home games played this season. Head to head, the Thunder are 6-4 SU in their last 10 games versus the Mavericks.
You’ve got to give credit to Luka Doncic for taking the Mavericks to where they are right now. I mean that kid is playing like a grizzled veteran out there. As stated above, he’s been putting up LeBron-like numbers as a teenager and is coming off a career high 34 points. But against OKC, he’s up against the standard in doing everything for his team. Russell Westbrook is no stranger to carrying his team on his shoulders and even if PG13 sits this one out, expect Russ to show up against the rookie.
Dallas has been terrible on the road this season having won just twice away from home this season. The Thunder have an impressive home record at the Chesapeake Energy Arena and with Westbrook coming out of a recent mini-slump, I think the Thunder are going to roll here.
We’re picking the Oklahoma City Thunder to beat the Dallas Mavericks on 12/31/18.
The Mavericks are 21-13 ATS on the season. Dallas is 8-9 ATS in 17 road games played so far. The Thunder are 19-15 ATS in 34 games played this season. Oklahoma City is 9-7 ATS in 16 home games played so far. Head to head, the Mavericks are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games against the Thunder.
Dallas Mavericks vs Oklahoma City Thunder 12/31/18
Spread Odds: Mavericks +8 (-110), Thunder -8 (-110)
Odds from betonline.ag as of 12/31/18
Dallas may be 2-15 SU on the road but they are 8-9 ATS in those games. The Thunder are mediocre ATS at home and OKC is 5-1 ATS in their last six Monday games. I think this is going to be a competitive game but also believe that Westbrook and the Thunder have enough firepower and defense to cover the spread.
Prediction: Thunder -8
The over is 18-15-1 in Dallas’ 34 games played so far this season. The total has gone over in 10 out of the 17 road games played by the Mavericks. The total has gone under in 18 out of the 34 games played by the Thunder. Oklahoma City has seen the over go 10-16 in their 16 home games played so far.
Dallas Mavericks vs Oklahoma City Thunder 12/31/18
Over/Under Odds: Over 224 -110, Under 224 -110
Odds from betonline.ag as of 12/31/18
The over is 6-1 in the Thunder’s last seven Monday games. The over is also 10-2 in the Thunder’s last 12 home games against teams whose road winning percentage is below .400. On the other hand, the over is 4-0 in the Mavs’ last four games against teams with a winning percentage of at least .600 and the over is 6-1 in Dallas’ last seven games overall.
Prediction: Over 224
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