Vegas Line at this writing: Oklahoma City -5.5 (213)
The NBA returns tonight after an extended All Star Game hiatus with a TNT double header featuring four teams jockeying for playoff positioning in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. The front end of the TV twin bill has the Dallas Mavericks traveling to Oklahoma City to meet the Thunder. At 36-19, the Mavs sit fifth in the West, two games in the loss column behind Houston and Portland who are currently tied for third in the battle for a first round playoff home court. Oklahoma City (28-25) has battled back from first half injuries to climb within a half game of Phoenix for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. That said, with 29 games remaining, the Thunder have the toughest remaining schedule of the entire NBA.
The Mavericks have won the last four games in the series including the only meeting this year, a 112-107 decision in Dallas back on January 28th. In that game, Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavs with 30 points including 10 in the final five minutes. Chandler Parsons chipped in with 26. Serge Ibaka led the Thunder with 26 while Russell Westbrook just missed a triple double with a 18/9/9 stat line for the night. Dallas has won six of eight but is just 1-6 in their L7 as a road dog. Oklahoma City has won five of six and covered their last three as a home favorite.
Dallas: The Mavs have every reason to be optimistic for a big stretch run. Dallas made the biggest move of the season prior to the trade deadline by prying away Rejean Rondo (8.7, 6.3, 8.7) from Boston. Rondo is expected to return tonight after missing six games with a fractured facial bone near the eye. The Mavs will also debut A’mare Stoudamire who is fresh off his buyout with the Knicks. Stoudamire is a career 20 ppg. scorer that can rebound and should provide the Mavs with some quality minutes off the bench. With Dirk, Monta Ellis, Parsons and defensive stopper Tyson Chandler in the paint, the Mavs are very good and very deep and will figure to be a tough out come playoff time.
Oklahoma City: The Thunder figured to challenge for the Western Conference championship before early injuries to Durant and Westbrook put OKC in a 2-10 hole from the git go. Durant, Westbrook and Ibaka make up the Thunder’s big three. Lost in the shuffle has been Reggie Jackson (12.8, 4.0, 4.3) who has asked to be dealt. Westbrook is off a monster MVP performance in the All Star Game. Kevin Durant is still nursing a sore foot but is averaging 31.7 ppg on 65% shooting in his L3 and he’s averaged 34.0 ppg. in his L7 starts against the Mavericks.
Allen’s Angles
The Mavs are 8-16 ATS this year vs. winning records
Dallas is 6-3 ATS this year vs. Northwest Division opponents
Dallas is 54-37 in their L91 as a dog but just 5-7 this year
The Over is 7-2 L9 when the Mavs have 3+ days rest
OKC is 71-47 ATS the Last three years after scoring 105+ points
The Thunder are 0-2 ATS this year with 3+ days rest
The Under is 14-8 in OKC’s 22 home games
The Under is 18-10 this year in games where the Thunder were favored