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All eyes are on Thunder vs Mavericks Prediction Win Probability and odds ahead of Game Two of their Western Conference semi-finals matchup on Thursday night. Oklahoma City ran out winners in Game One, and are looking to protect homecourt advantage in Game Two. Luka Doncic is playing through pain, while the Thunder’s young roster gave the Mavs the runaround in the series opener.
The NBA Playoffs are down to just eight teams, and our Expert Insights are stacked with basketball betting tips. Tipster Sam Cox will have his best bets throughout the postseason.
Odds as of May 9th 2024. Odds may now differ.
The Thunder might have been talked down because of their inexperience, but the Paycom Center produces a ferocious atmosphere, and they are stacked in above-average NBA talent. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a tough matchup for the Mavs, while Chet Holmgren was impactful on both ends.
OKC looked after the ball better than Dallas and had four players with 16 or more points. Even if the Mavs go all-out to slow down Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder have enough talent to attack the weak points in Dallas’ defense.
With no injury concerns, the Thunder are healthy and raring to go. They swept the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round, and are notably much fresher than the Dallas Mavericks, who had a bruising series against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Josh Giddey’s minutes are something to watch on Thursday night. Giddey was a -7 in a 22-point win in Game One. All the other starters were massive positives in their minutes – Dallas managed to put together a run every time Giddey was on the floor.
With Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace giving the Thunder good minutes off the bench, Mark Daigneault could adjust his rotation for Game Two.
Maxi Kleber is out for the series. Luka Doncic is probable and expected to battle through knee pain. Whether Doncic makes the floor or not is irrelevant – the Mavericks need a healthier, more mobile version of their star man if they are to force this into a long series.
Doncic was a long way from his usual self in the series opener. OKC is stacked with athletic, active defenders. Chet Holmgren is a deterrent at the rim. If Doncic is equally as limited on Thursday, the Mavericks are looking at another blowout loss.
They will also be looking to up Kyrie Irving’s usage after he took just 14 shots in Game One.
The most important head-to-head record is the Thunder’s 1-0 advantage in this series. Oklahoma City has won 90 of the 174 regular season matchups between these teams.
Over the last two regular seasons, the Thunder have gone 5-2 against these Mavericks. They have covered this five-point spread in all five of those wins.
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