Dallas Mavericks vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction: The Mavs have an edge with Luka

The NBA Regular Season is on and we have witnessed a bunch of riveting battles already with some high-scoring battles already plaguing the scene. Some teams have exceeded expectations, the Portland Trail Blazers and the San Antonio Spurs are among them. Dallas Mavericks are among the teams that have met the expectations but with hiccups and they will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Mavericks last met against the Brooklyn Nets and won 129:125 as Luka Doncic dipped in 41 points in a battle that reached Overtime. The Mavericks have had more close battles than they’d like and three of their games have been within one/two possessions. The Mavs have suffered a bit after losing Jalen Brunson but to be honest, they look deeper than last season. However, that doesn’t mean that Luka can propel them to the Conference Finals again.

Reggie Bullock and Dorian Finney-Smith form a strong defensive duo but their offensive returns have been slim. Adding Christian Wood has given the team great length and a stretch-five who can also pinboards, he has been coming off the bench. Maxi Kleber provides defensive grip, rebounding, and decent scoring off the bench. Meanwhile, Tim Hardaway is an instant scorer who seems to be getting back in the groove. But the question is that will this be enough to get through in the loaded West?

The Thunder is in rebuild but took care of business against the depleted Los Angeles Clippers twice in a row. They come into this game after a 118:110 triumph against them in a game where Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lodged 24 points. In these two wins, the team was without their all-around prospect Josh Giddey. The team did begin the season on a three-game losing streak but took advantage of a Clippers team that looked lost on both ends even when Paul George returned for the second game of the back-to-back.

As expected, Shai has taken the keys to the bulk of the production and without Giddey, he has had to up his playmaking as well. Lugeuntz Dort did score 21 in the last game but his long-range shooting has been abysmal thus far. Tre Mann is getting back in the groove, having made 4 triples in the last games after a rough period. Aaron Wiggins has performed well whereas Kenrich Williams and Mike Muscala have given decent minutes. Aleksej Pokusevksi has made a case for increased minutes whereas Darius Bazley and Jeremiah Earl-Robinson act as the bigs. It will be interesting to see how this team carries the two-game winning streak.

• Mavericks: OUT: Davis Bertans, Frank Ntilikina;
• Thunder: Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren

• Likely 25+ Points Candidates: Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander;
• Likely 7+ Rebounds Candidates: Luka Doncic, Darius Bazley;
• Likely 6+ Assists Candidates: Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The Mavericks are a tough team to deal with and although they have left the door open lately, I expect their performances to improve after a tough ordeal. Luka Doncic is surely an early MVP candidate and has hit teams with his usual attacks. What makes this match-up intriguing is that usually the Forwards have struggled to shoot for both squads and this could be a decisive match-up.

But when you have someone like Luka, you have an edge no matter what lineup is around him at this point. Shai has been in incredible form again but I believe the Mavs' defense will make it tough than the Clippers. I see the Mavericks starting strong and finishing strong in what can be a blowout win. I see 218-228 as the Points Range here and I see the Thunder scoring in 104-110 range while the Mavs scoring in 110-118 range.