The Dallas Mavericks will look to create more separation in the second round between them and the Oklahoma City Thunder this Tuesday. Will the Mavs move a win away from the Western Conference finals? Or, will the Thunder tie things up at 2-2?
Catch this game live on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 9:30 AM, Manila time
Away: Oklahoma City Thunder (1-2)
Projected Starting Five:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Josh Giddey
- Luguentz Dort
- Jalen Williams
- Chet Holmgren
The Thunder’s resolve is being put to a test. After sweeping the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round, the Thunder now found themselves trailing the Mavs after three games in the second round. In Game 3, Oklahoma City struggled in the possession battle, as the Mavs outshot the Thunder by a big margin, 91-81.
Although Dallas went just 42.9 percent from the field, the disparity in shots taken ended up biting the Thunder, who also needs to put a plug in the non-Luka Doncic and non-Kyrie Irving weapons, particularly PJ Washington, who has been repeatedly hurting them in the series. There is no reason to panic yet for the Thunder, but they can treat Game 4 as a must-win event for them, considering the staggering odds they’d face if the Mavs win again this Tuesday.
The Thunder, who are averaging 109.3 points in the series, have seen the total hit the Under in all of their last three road games in the playoffs.
Home: Dallas Mavericks (2-1)
Projected Starting Five:
- Luka Doncic (Questionable)
- Kyrie Irving
- Derrick Jones Jr.
- P.J. Washington
- Daniel Gafford
As mentioned, PJ Washington has been a big thorn in the side of the Thunder. If you told people before the series that Washington would average more points than at least one of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving through three games against the Thunder, they’d probably question your sanity. But that’s exactly what’s happened.
Doncic leads the Mavs in the second round with 23.3 points per game, but Washington is right behind the Slovenian with 22.0 PPG. Irving is third with 17.0 PPG. The former Kentucky Wildcats star has been incredible in the past two games, during which he’s totaled 56 points on 53.7 FG% with 12 3-pointers. He is on a groove and whether he falls down to Earth or not in Game 4, he’s still going to keep the Thunder’s defense honest — perhaps enough to open things up more for Doncic and Irving to do their usual damage.
The Mavs are 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 home games.
Picks
Spread: Oklahoma City Thunder (+1.5)
Over/Under: Under (213.0)
