Mavericks Seek Series Control in Game 3
Dallas Could Go Up in the Series Per our Thunder vs Mavericks Preview
After surprising the Thunder in Game 2, the Dallas Mavericks are the favorites to win Game 3 on Saturday. Our Thunder vs Mavericks preview looks at why the Mavericks could use momentum to their advantage, and why the Thunder are good enough to bounce back. The odds currently price Dallas as the -155 favorite.
But, there can be only one winner, and they would take control of the series.
Mavericks vs Thunder 
Records: Dallas Mavericks (55-35), Oklahoma City Thunder (62-26)
Day/Time:
Location: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Streaming: ABC
Back to the Drawing Board
Losing your first playoff game can be tough to overcome, which is what faces most of the Thunder players. They haven’t been in this situation before because they didn’t lose a game in their first round. It hasn’t prepared them well. However, the Thunder have an elite young team of players, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was incredible again in Game 2.
It wasn’t enough to get the Thunder over the line, but they never looked like winning. It was a disappointing team effort, especially on defense. Their defense sets them apart in the Western Conference, so unless it gets back to its best, NBA results won’t go their way. They must find a way to stop Luka Doncic from getting the shot he wants. He often makes his own space, but it is usually one-on-one defense.
They are the three-point underdogs with the sportsbook, and our Thunder vs Mavericks preview sees that as a fair line.
Mavericks Showing How Dangerous They Can Be
It’s always a gamble when backing the Mavericks, but we loved what we saw in Game 2. The bench did its job, and they didn’t need Doncic and Kyrie Irving to score 30+ points each. It was a true team effort, which doesn’t often happen. Returning home should be a massive bonus for them, and they now have home-court advantage for the rest of the series.
However, winning on the road is only good if you hold in Game 3. The Mavericks are experienced enough to know that, especially Irving, who had won an NBA Championship. That’s what could separate the Mavs from the Thunder, and we expect Irving to have a breakout performance in the scoring department.
Irving’s the best of our NBA player props, and we think he will take more shots to give Doncic some rest. He had only nine points, but 11 assists in Game 2. He had every chance to shoot more but chose to give the wing players more opportunities. That proved vital, but we think he’ll be more selfish on Saturday.
NBA betting odds have the Mavericks favored to win and it’s hard to disagree. The Thunder looked frazzled, and we’re not sure how well-equipped they are to bounce back.
Ride the Hot Hand
Our Thunder vs Mavericks preview has the Mavericks taking a 2-1 lead and covering the spread. We loved what we saw in Game 2, and we can’t see that changing as they return home in front of a packed house at American Airlines Center.
We expect more points from Irving, and Doncic could lift his level as well. If they get cooking, the Thunder could find themselves battling in this series.
Over 219 points are also worth including. The points were flowing freely in Game 2. There could be more points scored in Game 3.
Betting trends favor the over, so include it in your NBA picks.
For NBA betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
