The Oklahoma City Thunder (34-6) travel to face off against the Dallas Mavericks (22-19) on Friday, January 17th. This game will be played at American Airlines Center in Dallas and televised on KFAA. The Thunder are coming off a win in their previous game, while the Mavericks are looking to get back on track from a loss to the Mavericks. Tip-off is set for 8:30 ET.

Thunder vs Mavericks

The Thunder Are Coming Off A Win

The Thunder improved to 34-6 this season with a 134-114 win over the Cavaliers on Thursday. Playing at home, they were favored by 2.5 points and covered the spread with the 20-point victory. The game’s total points of 248 exceeded the over/under line of 232 by 16 points.

Oklahoma City took control early with an 11-0 run, stretching the score from 12-11 to 22-12. They dominated the first three quarters, leading 119-81 going into the 4th, before the Cavaliers outscored them 33-15 in the final period.

The Mavericks Are Coming Off A Win

Dallas fell to 22-19 on the season after a 119-116 road loss to the Pelicans on Wednesday. The Mavericks, who were +1.5 point underdogs, did not cover the spread. The game’s total of 235 points exceeded the O/U line of 221.5 by 13.5 points.

After trailing 33-27 in the 1st quarter, Dallas took control by outscoring New Orleans 34-30 in the 2nd and 30-24 in the 3rd. However, the Mavericks couldn’t hold onto their 91-87 lead heading into the 4th, as the Pelicans outscored them 32-25 in the final period.

Thunder Offense Breakdown

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder to a win over the Cavaliers, scoring 40 points and adding 8 assists, shooting 65.4% from the field. Luguentz Dort contributed 22 points, hitting 6 threes at a 66.7% rate, while Jalen Williams added 19 points.

Oklahoma City hit 18 threes in the game, despite shooting just 34% from beyond the arc. Overall, they shot 50.5% from the field, with Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 15 points in the 1st quarter and another 14 in the 3rd.

Mavericks Offense Breakdown

In their 119-116 loss to the Pelicans, the Mavericks shot 47.8% from the field, with a below-average 34.3% from three, hitting 12 threes overall. Daniel Gafford led the way with 27 points on 92.3% shooting, adding 12 rebounds.

Jaden Hardy contributed 21 points, knocking down 4 threes at 66.7%, while Spencer Dinwiddie added 20 points, 10 of which came in the 3rd quarter. Hardy scored 10 points in the 2nd quarter, while Gafford also added 11 in the period.

Thunder Team Defense

The Thunder’s defense shined in the 1st quarter, holding the Cavaliers to just 14 points, but they struggled in the 2nd, allowing 35. Cleveland scored 32 in the 3rd and 33 in the 4th, but Oklahoma City still came out on top.

Overall, the Thunder held the Cavaliers to 46% shooting, including 31% from three, where Cleveland made 13 threes. The Thunder sent the Cavaliers to the line 21 times, where they hit 17 free throws. Oklahoma City finished with 12 steals and 5 blocks.

Mavericks Team Defense

The Thunder were dominant defensively in the 1st quarter, giving up just 14 points, but they struggled in the 2nd, allowing 35 points. The Cavaliers scored 32 points in the 3rd and 33 in the 4th, but the Thunder still managed to secure the win. Overall, Oklahoma City gave up 114 points on 46% shooting from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Thunder held the Cavaliers to 13 made threes on 31% shooting. Cleveland also went 17/21 from the free-throw line. Oklahoma City finished with 31 defensive rebounds, while allowing 11 offensive boards. They also recorded 12 steals and 5 blocks.

Thunder vs Mavericks Trends

• In their last ten games away from home, the Thunder have a straight up record of 9-1 while going 6-3-1 vs. the spread. The team averaged 118 points per game in this stretch.
• Across the Mavericks last five home games, the team averaged 108 points per game while allowing 116. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 0-5, while going 0-5 straight-up.
• Spanning across their last three games as the betting underdog, the Mavericks have gone 0-3 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 0-3.
• Through their last five games as the favorite, the Thunder have an ATS record of 4-0-1 and a straight up mark of 5-0.

Thunder vs Mavericks Prediction

For a point-spread wager in this Thunder vs. Mavericks game, we suggest taking the Mavericks at +7.5. Even though our predictions have the Thunder winning 106-104, we see the Mavericks as the better choice on the point-spread.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 223.5 and given that our model is projecting 210 points between the teams, we like the under.

All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.