Oklahoma City Thunder at Dallas Mavericks Game 1 Expert Picks, Odds and Predictions – NBA Playoffs Betting Preview 5/17/11: 2011 NBA leading scorer Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder will head south to the American Airlines Center to take on a hot sharp shooting Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night at 9:00 PM ET on ESPN for game 1 of the NBA Western Conference Finals. The Mavericks have only lost one game in the last 40 days and enter the Western Conference Finals with home court after sweeping the two time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant 4-0 back on May 8th and have been resting up for the younger opponent.
Oklahoma City had to win a game 7 at home 105-90 over the upstart Memphis Grizzlies to earn a berth in the Western Conference Finals. The matchup pits 2 seven foot players who are best known for their outside shooting and proficient scoring as Durant is leading the playoffs with a 28.9 point per game average while the Mavs Nowitzki is 4th in the NBA playoffs with a 26.5 point per game average through the first 2 rounds. The Thunder also has the 8th highest scorer in the playoffs in point guard Russell Westbrook who is averaging nearly 24 points per game. The odds makers at JustBET have the Dallas Mavericks a -6 point favorite at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Mavericks ousted the Lakers 122-86 to send them home for the summer and Dirk led the way with 17 points ,7 rebounds and 4 assists in just 32 minutes of play. Jason Terry came off the bench to score 32 points with 4 assists and continues to be the other go to guy for the Mavericks averaging 18 plus points per game good for 19th in the NBA Playoffs. Backup point guard J.J. Barea added 22 points and 8 assists while reserve Peja Stojakovic chipped in 21 points, 3 boards and 2 assists. Vegas odds makers have the over/under for the total score at 192 1/2 points combined of the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder took it all the way to 7 games but won on the play of their 2 superstars with Durant scoring 39 points to go with 9 boards and 2 assists and point guard Russell Westbrook adding 14 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists. Westbrook’s triple double is only the 5th in NBA history in a game seven. If Durant wants to be in the league’s elite players he will ask to play defense on Dirk like some other superstars have done when they are in this situation. Vegas odds makers have the Oklahoma City Thunder +700 to win the 2010-2011 NBA Championship.
I predict a Thunder upset on the road tonight.
Free Pickk: Oklahoma City +6
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| GAME 1 Oklahoma City Thunder at Dallas Mavericks Date: 5/17/2011 Time: 9:00 PM EST on ESPN 2011 NBA Playoffs Series: Series Tied 0-0 Vegas Odds – Favorite: Dallas Mavericks -6(pointspread) Total: Over/Under 193.5 |
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