The Oklahoma City Thunder challenge the visiting Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The game begins at 8:00 pm ET on Monday, Apr. 18 and will air on TNT, FxK and TXA.
The Thunder come into this game on a high note after blowing out the Mavericks 108-70 on Saturday. Russell Westbrook was a key piece, recording his 55th double-double of the season with 24 points and 11 assists.
The Thunder have gone 56-27 Straight Up (SU) and 37-43-3 Against The Spread (ATS). They have a record of 56-27 SU and 37-43-3 ATS versus the Western Conference. Oklahoma City has averaged 91.8 points per game over the last 10 games, lower than its season average of 110.2. The rebounding edge goes to the Thunder in this matchup, who average a league-best 48.7 rebounds per game. The most recent 10 game stretch for the Thunder has gone great. Over that span, Oklahoma City’s opponents are averaging 91.7 points per game, well under their season average of 102.5. Oklahoma City’s defense can be considered one of the best in the league. The Thunder allow a .436 opponent field-goal percentage, one of the lowest shooting rates in the league.
As for their opponent, the Mavericks head into the game with records of 44-37-2 ATS and 42-41 SU. Against the Western Conference, Dallas is 42-41 SU and 44-37-2 ATS. Offensively, the Mavericks have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 101.9 points per game by averaging 109.9 during that stretch. The Mavericks are shooting lights out from the foul line so far, with a .792 free throw percentage that ranks fourth in the NBA.
The Thunder’s win over Dallas in their last game moved their SU record against Dallas to 6-4 over the last 10 meetings. The teams have an even record ATS, 5-5.
Predictions: SU Winner – OKC
Notes
On average, Dallas puts up 101.9 points per game (ranked 19th), while Oklahoma City gives up 102.5 points per game (ranked 14th).
Dallas scores an average of 99.5 points per away game (ranked 19th), while Oklahoma City allows 99.0 points per home game (ranked ninth).
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Oklahoma City Thunder are an outstanding 30-5. In games where they fail to hit triple digits, the Dallas Mavericks have a subpar record of 14-24.
Oklahoma City is 26-22 when allowing 100 or more points this season. The Mavericks have a solid 28-17 record when they hit the century mark.
The Thunder have the second-best offensive rating in the NBA (110.4). The Mavericks are also in the top half of the league based on their defensive rating of 104.9 (ranked 13th).
On average, Oklahoma City has 99.8 possessions per game and scores 1.104 points on each possession. Dallas has both fewer possessions (97.2) and scores fewer points during those possessions (1.049).
Oklahoma City is among the top-ranked teams based on its average effective field goal percentage of 52.4% (ranked fourth in the NBA). Dallas is an abysmal 6-24 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, the Oklahoma City Thunder make 23.0 assists per game and the Dallas Mavericks make 22.0. Oklahoma City is ranked 10th, while Dallas is ranked 18th.
The Oklahoma City Thunder average 5.9 blocks per game for a rank of sixth. The Dallas Mavericks rank lower (29th), earning 3.7 blocks each game.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are the top offensive rebounding team in the league. The Dallas Mavericks rank 12th in defensive rebounding.
Dallas makes an average of 6.8 steals per game. Oklahoma City has a solid 49-24 record when it gives up at least 6 steals.
