Dallas and Oklahoma NBA Betting Clash

The NBA All-Star Game is now in the rearview, and teams are gearing up for a playoff push in the second half of the season. Atlanta and Golden State are putting together impressive seasons that is likely to see them finish on top of their respective conferences, but there is a free for all taking place below them. There is a great NBA betting match-up in the West on Thursday night featuring a pair of teams that are at very different places in their seasons.

Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Betting Clash

Venue: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Date: Thursday, February 19, 2005 Time: 8:00 PM ET TV: TNT NBA betting spread: Oklahoma City -4.5    

NBA Betting Analysis and Game Preview

The Dallas Mavericks are currently occupying 5^th spot in the West, and seem to be a shoe-in for the postseason, barring any major meltdown. The addition of Amar’e Stoudemire, who they just signed a couple of days ago, takes them from a mid-place team to a playoff contender in the eyes of many. Stoudemire is likely to get his first start with his new team on Thursday night, as the Mavericks head to Oklahoma City for their first game after the break. The Mavs headed into the break on a bit of a high, as they rebounded from a 4-game losing skid to then win 6 of their next 8. The game in Oklahoma will be followed by a 3-game home stand that will include a game against Houston, who are just ahead of them in the conference standings. There were many basketball experts who believed that Oklahoma City would be one of the teams that had a shot at representing the West in the NBA Finals. Things have not gone exactly to plan, and the Thunder are currently on the outside looking in. That said, they are starting to hit their stride a little, wining 3 in a row, and 5 of their last 6 before heading into the All-Star break. More hope for this team can be found in the performance of Russell Westbrook, who walked away from the All-Star game with the MVP trophy. The Thunder will be hoping that he can use that as fuel for the remainder of the season, as they chase down the teams ahead of them in the pack. They are currently just a half game out of the final playoff spot in the West, and I expect them to find a way in before the season is over.

Key Betting Trends

• Dallas is 6-2 SU in its last eight games and 6-11-2 ATS in its last 19 games • Oklahoma City is 5-1 SU in its last six games and 4-1 ATS in its last five games • Dallas is 15-7 SU in its last 22 road games • Oklahoma City is 9-1 SU in its last ten home games • Dallas is 10-2 ATS in its last 12 games road games against Oklahoma City • Oklahoma City is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games against Dallas • The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Oklahoma City’s last 23 home games against Dallas

Consider This Before Placing Your Bet

These two teams last met back in December, and it was Dallas who pulled out the 112-107 win on home court. Oklahoma City have had their issues on the road this season, but they have been strong at home, which is why I like them to win this one.