Dallas vs Oklahoma City NBA Playoffs Series Spread Over Look

Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the rest of the third-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder will look to take the first step toward what they hope will be an appearance in the NBA Finals when they square off against Dirk Nowitzki and the sixth-seeded Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of their first round Western Conference playoff series. Now, with the championship-hopeful contenders looking to upset the entire apple cart in the powerful Western Conference, let’s take an in-depth pro basketball odds look at both ball clubs.

Thunder vs Mavericks NBA Playoffs Series Spread Over Look

“Now it’s time to really get after it. We’re fighting for something.” @RFeltonGBMS. REPORT: https://t.co/qAdwiAMv4i pic.twitter.com/tjV2G1vNZ6

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) April 14, 2016

Why Bet On The No. 6 Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks (42-20 SU, 45-36-1 ATS) ranked 16th in scoring during the regular season (102.3 ppg) and 20th in field goal shooting percentage (44.4 %) while also ranking a 23rd in three-point shooting percentage (34.4 %), a stellar third in free throw shooting percentage (79.4 %) and 19th in rebounding (43.1 rpg). Defensively, Dallas ranked a respectable 14th in points allowed (102.6 ppg) while also finishing 15th in defensive field goal percentage (45.1 %), ninth in three-point defense (34.2 %), and 24th in rebounds allowed (45.8 rpg). The Mavs were 23-18 SU and 23-18 ATS at home during the regular season and 19-22 SU and 22-18-1 ATS on the road.

Why Bet On The No. 3 Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder (55-27 SU, 37-44-1 ATS) ranked a stellar second in scoring (110.7 ppg) and third in field goal shooting percentage (47.6 %) while also ranking 18th in three-point shooting percentage (34.9 %), 10th in free throw shooting percentage (78.2 %) and a league-leading first in rebounding (48.6 rpg). Defensively, Oklahoma City ranked 15th in points allowed (102.9 ppg) while also finishing fifth in defensive field goal percentage (43.8 %), eighth in three-point defense (34.2 %), and second in rebounds allowed (40.2 rpg). The Thunder went 32-9 SU and 20-20-1 ATS at home during the regular season and 23-18 SU but just 17-24 ATS on the road.

My Series Analysis and Expert Pick

While five players averaged double figures in scoring for Dallas this season, the fact of the matter is that the Mavericks are just about average in every area this season as their aforementioned statistics show. With that said, the Mavs are facing a real uphill battle to beat a superior Thunder team that had four double-digit scorers this season and features two of the top five players in the league today in Kevin Durant (28.2 ppg) and Russell Westbrook (23.5 ppg, 10.4 apg, 7.8 rpg). Not only will Oklahoma City’s dynamic duo have their way against whoever guards them, but I also expect big men, Serge Ibaka, Steven Adams and Enes Kanter to dominate in the low post against a Dallas team that will try to counter tem down low with players like Zaza Pachulia, Dwight Powell and David Lee. I know Dallas has the coaching edge with Rick Carlisle on their bench opposite rookie head coach Billy Donovan, but that’s the only area where Dallas has any advantage at all. I’m giving the Mavs one win because of Dirk Nowitzki’s brilliance, but that’s it. Oklahoma City wins this first round series 4-1, but you should know that the road team in this Southwest Division rivalry has gone 35-16-2 ATS in the last 53 meetings!