Oklahoma City Thunder - Dallas Mavericks predictions and free betting tips [08/05/2024]

The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks are set to face off in the semifinals of the NBA Western Conference tomorrow morning.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder have shown their prowess, breezing into the second round of the playoffs for the first time since the 2015/2016 season, a significant feat given they surpassed the Pelicans without star performances from their leader Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Thunder concluded the first round on a home record of 35-8 and hope to improve their performance in the upcoming home games. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 27.3 points, 5.0 assists, and 1.5 steals in the first round, although his regular-season performances were higher. The young leader of the Thunder welcomed a son during the series, expressing his readiness for new challenges in the second round, emphasising the importance of teamwork and added support from one of the best perimeter defenders, Luguentz Dort.

In the regular season, the Thunder ranked high in almost every offensive and defensive category, maintaining an impressive balance. They placed in the top 5 in several categories and ended the season with average scores of 105.3 points per game with a 48.2% success rate and conceded an average of 89.5 points per game with opponents scoring at 39.6%. Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams have contributed significantly, averaging 21.3 and 7.3 rebounds respectively.

The Thunder displayed their strength in the first round of the playoffs, defeating New Orleans by a confident score of 4-1 in which Gilgeous-Alexander and Dort were key figures. Their next challenge is Dallas’s defence, against which they have won three out of four encounters this season, including both home games. The Thunder also boasts high accuracy in field goals and free throws, demonstrating 38.7% and 74.3%. The absence of players on the injury list is a crucial indicator.

Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks have entered the second round of the playoffs following a hard series against the Los Angeles Clippers, culminating in a 4-2 victory. In the first-round series, Luka Dončić, despite straining his right knee, averaged 29.8 points, 9.5 assists, and 8.8 rebounds, demonstrating leadership qualities, although his shooting accuracy was lower than usual - 40.5% from the field and 23.9% from behind the three-point line. Now, the Mavs face the task of overcoming the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round, who have dominated their home games.

Dončić, along with Tim Hardaway Jr., who returned after an ankle sprain, and Kyrie Irving, who averages 26.5 points, will be key figures in the Mavs' offense. Dallas averages 107 points per game at a 46.5% success rate, ranking second since the 2011 championship. It's worth noting that Jason Kidd has signed a multi-year contract with the team, highlighting his importance to the club. The Mavericks show strong results at home, but their away matches, including games against the Thunder where they have suffered 4 defeats in the last 5 encounters, require special attention.

Injuries have impacted the team's line-up; the absence of Maxi Kleber, who is out for several weeks, is particularly notable. It creates problems for the Maverick’s frontline depth. PJ Washington and Derrick Jones Jr. will assist in play-making, while Dončić will strive to endure his injury difficulties and continue to be the focus as one of the team's leaders.

Prediction for the game Oklahoma City Thunder - Dallas Mavericks

Oklahoma considerably holds strong, plus Dallas, apart from the Irving-Dončić pair, by bench strength and game efficiency, have no trumps against the youthful and balanced team of Mike Daigne. I expect a victory for the home team with a spread (-2.5).