Pro Hoops on Friday and we will see the Oklahoma City Thunder travel to the Lone Star State to take on the Dallas Mavericks. The game is scheduled for a 9:30 pm (Eastern) start time and will be televised on ESPN. Currently the odds for the game have Oklahoma City favored by 5 points while the total sits at 204.5. Check out Sportsbook Spy to see who the Public is taking on all of today's games.
Free Analysis: The Thunder won the lone meeting this year on Dec. 27, 111-105 in overtime, marking their seventh straight victory in this series (including playoffs). They are also 11-2 ATS in the past 13 trips to Dallas, including three straight SU victories by 9, 16 and 6 points. The Thunder lead the NBA in scoring (105.4 PPG) and three-point shooting (39.2%), while placing third in overall FG Pct. (47.9%). The defense allows 96.0 PPG (8th in NBA), and has been even stingier during the five-game win streak, giving up just 91.0 PPG on 40.9% FG and 25.7% threes. SF Kevin Durant continues to have a monster season with 28.7 PPG (3rd in NBA). He has scored at least 20 points in 15 straight games, averaging 31.3 PPG on 54% FG and 90% FT during this streak. In last season's playoff series sweep of Dallas, he averaged 26.5 PPG and 7.5 RPG, and then scored 40 points with eight boards in the Dec. 27 meeting. PG Russell Westbrook also dominated the Mavs in the playoffs with 22.3 PPG and 4.3 APG. Not only does he average 8.3 APG this season (5th in NBA), but he's been on a scoring surge this past week, dropping 36 points in Phoenix and then netting 32 in Wednesday's 117-97 home rout of Denver. Defensively, Westbrook's 2.03 SPG places him fourth in the league. Speaking of defense, PF Serge Ibaka has been a shot-blocking force with 2.9 BPG (2nd in NBA) this season, and he's also making 56.4% of his field goals (4th in league).
Dallas scores 99.6 PPG (10th in NBA) this season, but gives up 102.5 PPG (4th-most in NBA). However, the Mavs have been much more efficient on both ends of the court during their winning streak, pumping in 109.8 PPG on 47% FG, while allowing just 98.3 PPG on 42% FG. PF Dirk Nowitzki has averaged a pedestrian 15.8 PPG and 6.3 RPG during the win streak, but he was much more potent in last year's playoffs versus the Thunder with 26.8 PPG on 44% FG and 91% FT (38-of-42). Nowitzki averages 22.6 points in 51 career games against the Thunder. SG O.J. Mayo leads the team with 18.3 PPG this season, which is the same exact average he has during the four-game win streak to go along with 6.5 APG and 6.5 RPG. He made 8-of-11 shots in Monday's win over Minnesota, but connected on just 3-of-14 attempts on Wednesday. Four other Mavs players average double-figures in scoring, with PG Darren Collison (12.9 PPG) also leading the club in assists (5.1 APG). He has 18 assists and just five turnovers in his past three games combined, and tallied a season-high 32 points when these teams last met on Dec. 27, a 111-105 overtime win for Oklahoma City. SF Shawn Marion (10.4 PPG, 8.2 RPG) has been on a scoring tear in during the four-game win streak, putting up 15.5 PPG on 57% FG, while grabbing 7.8 RPG.
Free Pick: The Dallas Mavericks are starting to put some points on the board as they have averaged 106.4 ppg in their last 5 games, while also averaging 102.4 ppg at home on the year. The Thunder have put up points all year as they have averaged 105.4 ppg overall and 102.5 ppg on the road. Defensively the Mavs have struggled as they have allowed 102.5 pg on the year, including 99.8 ppg at home. Not great numbers as all, especially vs this Thunder offense. Oklahoma City does play good defense, but I feel will have troubles stopping a fired up Mavs team on their own floor. I look for this one to hit at least 210, without the aid of OT.
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