- Mar 2, 2006
- 4,794
- 120
- 0
ATS: 66-53-4 (+15.0)
OU: 50-45-1 (+0.3)
ML dogs: 1-5 (-3.65)
In what should be a marquee matchup of two teams that are now bonafide playoff foes, the TNT matchup between the Thunder and Mavericks looks more like a lopsided game that could be a blowout. The Mavericks are coming off an embarrassing loss vs the Spurs, in a game where they allowed the Spurs to shoot 56% from the field and 66.7% (20-30) from beyond the arc. They also had over 20 turnovers for the second game in a row, highlighting their inability to lock down a solid starting point guard after the hasty departure of Derek Fisher. Luckily for the Mavericks, Dirk is back. His first game back was a debacle, but it usually takes some time to work a good player back in the rotation.
The Thunder have a really good record after returning from road trips in which they lost the last two games. Westbrook has had a couple bad games, posting 8 and then 5 turnovers in his last two. The Thunder historically respond well after Westbrook plays poorly. As a home favorite after two losses, they are 10-1 SU (-9.4 ppg) in their last 11. They are really good at responding to poor play. That is not in doubt.
The Mavericks on TNT since last season are 6-2 ATS as a dog. Since the last season after losing by at least 15 points, they are 4-6 SU and 8-2 ATS, losing by an average of 2.5 ppg as a road dog. The key to this game for me is the scheduling and rest time. The Mavericks have had three days off, in which they could perform an important trifecta. 1 - time with family, 2 - time to gameplan, and 3 - time to work Dirk back in with their new point guards. Under Rick Carlisle, the Mavericks as a road dog who have more rest than their opponent are 8-7 SU (-1.1 ppg) and 10-5 ATS, showing their ability to gameplan for their opponents given extra time. The Thunder had an emotional loss on Christmas day to the Heat, and yesterday they had a day off to prepare for the Mavericks and spend time with family. They will have one more day off, and then they are off again to Houston for a road game. Some distraction could come into play for them tonight. The Mavericks will have Denver at home tomorrow, but I think the moment tonight is bigger for them.
The Mavericks are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games in Oklahoma City.
Mavericks +10
Good luck...
OU: 50-45-1 (+0.3)
ML dogs: 1-5 (-3.65)
In what should be a marquee matchup of two teams that are now bonafide playoff foes, the TNT matchup between the Thunder and Mavericks looks more like a lopsided game that could be a blowout. The Mavericks are coming off an embarrassing loss vs the Spurs, in a game where they allowed the Spurs to shoot 56% from the field and 66.7% (20-30) from beyond the arc. They also had over 20 turnovers for the second game in a row, highlighting their inability to lock down a solid starting point guard after the hasty departure of Derek Fisher. Luckily for the Mavericks, Dirk is back. His first game back was a debacle, but it usually takes some time to work a good player back in the rotation.
The Thunder have a really good record after returning from road trips in which they lost the last two games. Westbrook has had a couple bad games, posting 8 and then 5 turnovers in his last two. The Thunder historically respond well after Westbrook plays poorly. As a home favorite after two losses, they are 10-1 SU (-9.4 ppg) in their last 11. They are really good at responding to poor play. That is not in doubt.
The Mavericks on TNT since last season are 6-2 ATS as a dog. Since the last season after losing by at least 15 points, they are 4-6 SU and 8-2 ATS, losing by an average of 2.5 ppg as a road dog. The key to this game for me is the scheduling and rest time. The Mavericks have had three days off, in which they could perform an important trifecta. 1 - time with family, 2 - time to gameplan, and 3 - time to work Dirk back in with their new point guards. Under Rick Carlisle, the Mavericks as a road dog who have more rest than their opponent are 8-7 SU (-1.1 ppg) and 10-5 ATS, showing their ability to gameplan for their opponents given extra time. The Thunder had an emotional loss on Christmas day to the Heat, and yesterday they had a day off to prepare for the Mavericks and spend time with family. They will have one more day off, and then they are off again to Houston for a road game. Some distraction could come into play for them tonight. The Mavericks will have Denver at home tomorrow, but I think the moment tonight is bigger for them.
The Mavericks are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games in Oklahoma City.
Mavericks +10
Good luck...
