Dallas Mavericks vs OKC Thunder Prediction and Betting Tips – Dec. 5

Recent Post

A 12-game NBA slate is set for Friday, and one of the headline contests pits two of the Western Conference’s hottest squads against each other as the No. 12 Dallas Mavericks head to face the No. 1 OKC Thunder.

Despite the Thunder sitting at 21-1 and the Mavericks at just 8-15, both teams enter as the conference’s hottest, with OKC riding a league-best 13-game winning streak and Dallas on a season-high three-game run that is tied for the third-longest streak in the NBA.

Here’s a preview of this Dallas Mavericks vs OKC Thunder game, scheduled to tip off at 9:30 p.m. ET at Paycom Center in OKC.

Dallas Mavericks vs OKC Thunder Preview and Odds

Moneyline: Mavericks (+700) vs Thunder (-1100)

Spread: Mavericks +14.5 (-110) vs Thunder -14.5 (-110)

Total (O/U): Mavericks o229.5 (-110) vs Thunder u229.5 (-110)

Editor’s note: The odds could change close to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.

Dallas Mavericks vs OKC Thunder preview

Do not overlook the Dallas Mavericks. Built on one of the league’s strongest defenses this season, they have begun to find their rhythm on offense as well, climbing into the top 10 in offensive rating over their past three games.

A major factor has been their three stars hitting their stride. During the win streak, Cooper Flagg is averaging 27.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists, while Anthony Davis has been dominant with 24.5 ppg, 15.0 rpg and 4.0 blocks.

Klay Thompson also looks to have shaken off his struggles, knocking down 51.9% of his 3-pointers for 18.3 ppg during the stretch. Behind the stars, guard Ryan Nembhard is also making noise, posting 17.0 ppg and 8.7 apg as an undrafted rookie.

Dallas will still be without Kyrie Irving, Dante Exum and Dereck Lively, though PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford are set to play, and their current form shows they can still compete.

Across from them is the Thunder, who own the league’s top defense. Even while dominating and extending the NBA’s longest win streak, OKC has shown some recent cracks over the last four games, either letting big leads slip or getting dragged into close finishes that weren’t as common earlier in the streak.

But Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains a clutch-time standout, leading the league in clutch scoring (8.7 ppg). The reigning MVP continues to drive the team, and he recently regained support from Jalen Williams, who is contributing 16.3 points, 6.3 assists and 5.0 rebounds along with his trademark tough defense.

The Thunder will be without key members of its formidable defensive unit: Lu Dort (right adductor strain), Isaiah Hartenstein (right soleus strain) and Alex Caruso (right quad contusion).

This meeting should be compelling, especially because in their first matchup this season, a 101-94 Thunder win, the Mavericks pushed OKC and nearly erased a 22-point deficit.

Dallas Mavericks vs OKC Thunder betting tips

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander O/U 32.5 points – Take the over.
  • Anthony Davis O/U 21.5 points – Take the over.
  • Chet Holmgren O/U 17.5 points – Take the over.
  • Cooper Flagg O/U 16.5 points – Take the over.

Dallas Mavericks vs OKC Thunder prediction

This matchup should be competitive, but the expectation is that OKC ultimately prevails. The Thunder may have shown some recent uneven stretches, but their defensive pressure could overwhelm the Mavericks and keep the team rolling.

Our prediction: Thunder win by 18.