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- What: NBA Cup Game
- When: December 10, 2024
- Who: Dallas Mavericks vs. OKC Thunder
- Time: 9:30 p.m. EST
- Where: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, OK)
After missing out on the knockout stages of last season’s in-season tournament, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks are both aiming for a spot in the semifinals as they face off in the quarterfinals of the Emirates NBA Cup this Tuesday at the Paycom Center.
After suffering consecutive losses to the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs last month, the Oklahoma City Thunder have made a remarkable comeback, winning seven out of their last eight games.
Even more impressive is that these victories have come with an average winning margin of 16.7 points, largely thanks to the outstanding performance of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a leading contender for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
The 26-year-old former University of Kentucky guard has been in phenomenal form, averaging 29.8 points, 6.5 assists, and 5.4 rebounds while boasting an impressive shooting percentage of 50.7% from the field.
Recently, Gilgeous-Alexander has elevated his game even further, recording averages of 31.9 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.1 rebounds over the Thunder’s last seven victories.
Game Preview (Mavericks vs. Thunder)
With both Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder finding their rhythm, it may be wise for bettors to consider backing them to cover the spread and make it to the semifinal round of the Emirates NBA Cup.
| Spread |  |  |  |
| Dallas Mavericks +4.5 Points | -110 | -110 | -110 |
| OKC Thunder -4.5 Points | -110 | -110 | -110 |
To achieve this goal, the Thunder will need contributions from all players, particularly their bench, to counter any offensive outbursts from stars like Luka Doncic, Klay Thompson, or Kyrie Irving.
In their first matchup against Dallas this season, Oklahoma City’s bench struggled significantly, contributing only 25 points compared to the Mavericks’ 50 points from their reserves.
After a slow start this season, the Dallas Mavericks are finding their rhythm, achieving their seventh consecutive win with a 125-118 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Saturday.
All-Star guard Luka Doncic showcased his prowess, recording an impressive triple-double with 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, while Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson contributed 29 and 20 points, respectively.
HE'S LIKE THAT 🪄
Luka is your Western Conference Player of the Week!@ModeloUSA // #MFFL pic.twitter.com/IJiXZjLL4H
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) December 9, 2024
Dallas’ bench significantly impacted the game as well, combining for 26 points, with guard Spencer Dinwiddie leading the charge by scoring 11 points in 24 minutes.
The Mavericks aim to maintain their winning streak as they prepare to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the do-or-die quarterfinal round of the Emirates NBA Cup, and signs suggest they could succeed.
Despite Oklahoma City’s strong performance this season, the Mavericks have begun to make headlines recently, notably defeating them earlier in the year even without Doncic.
This game should be very competitive but I would take the points and back the Mavs in this one. Mavs +4.5 points at -110 odds is the best bet in this one.
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Total Points
With Doncic’s wrist fully healed, Dallas now possesses the offensive firepower to match up well against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder, making the current betting odds quite appealing.
| Total Points | | | |
| Over 231.5 | -105 | -105 | -105 |
| Under 231.5 | -115 | -115 | -115 |
Both teams are entering this game on a hot streak, making it a tough choice to pick a side. Recently, they have both participated in several high-scoring matches, combining for a 6-2 record to the over in their last eight games.
Together as one ☝️ pic.twitter.com/1SEWY33QBv
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 8, 2024
Offensively, they both rank in the top 10 in the league, averaging a combined 234.8 points per game, with the Mavericks boasting the third-best field goal percentage in the league.
When these teams faced off earlier this season, a total of 240 points were scored, exceeding the expected total by 14.5 points. Given the recent trends, I anticipate another high-scoring battle, so I would recommend taking the over in this game.
I would bet Over 231.5 points in this barnburner of an NBA Cup matchup.
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