Dallas Mavs Top 3 Betting Picks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: Luka Doncic Back in Lineup?

Looking for the best betting odds and predictions for tonight's Dallas Mavericks game? Check out DallasBasketball.com's best predictions and player props.
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Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks are home to take on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night.

The Mavs are fresh off a 108-94 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night. Dallas was without Luka Doncic, who welcomed the birth of his daughter, Gabriella along with his fiancé, Ana Maria. Memphis jumped out to a quick lead and never looked back, led by Desmond Bane's 30 points.

The Thunder are coming off 133-110 blowout victory over LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 33 points  and seven assists to help snap OKC's two-game skid.

Going into Saturday night's matchup, the Mavs will be without Maxi Kleber (right toe) and Dante Exum (personal reasons) while Kyrie Irving (right foot), Tim Hardaway Jr. (back spasms), and Josh Green (right elbow) are all questionable. For OKC, they have no notable injuries to report.

Mavs' Tim Hardaway Jr. shoots a jumpshot over Thunder's Luguentz Dort.
Mavs' Tim Hardaway Jr. shoots a jumpshot over Thunder's Luguentz Dort / Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Check out the the betting lines and player props below, courtesy of SI Sportsbook.

The Lines

Point Spread: Thunder (-3.5) / Mavericks (+3.5)

Money Line: Thunder (-175) / Mavericks (+140)

Over/Under: 235.5

Player Props / Our Picks

Luka Doncic O/U 32.5 Points: Over

Despite missing last night's game and the excitement, and potential exhaustion, of welcoming a daughter into the world, Saturday night's game might rest solely on Doncic's shoulders if the likes of Irving and THJ are out. Take the over for the first time father.

Luka Doncic O/U 3.5 3PM: Under

Though he's shooting a career-high 38.8 percent from 3-point range on the season, Doncic has struggled as of late, shooting just 23 percent over the last three games. Look for Doncic to do his damage by attacking the cup rather than hitting from outside.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander O/U 5.5 Assists: Over

Simply put, SGA has been one of the best players in the league so far this season as the Thunder look to be a real playoff threat and he's put himself in contention for the MVP. Look for SGA, who averages 6.1 assists per game on the season, to hit the over.

Prediction: Despite Doncic's return to the lineup, with Dallas potentially without Irving, Hardaway Jr., and Green, look for Oklahoma City, who has a full bill of health, take the win on Saturday night. Take OKC -3.5 on the road.



Published
Michael Mulford
MICHAEL MULFORD

Michael Mulford is a writer/editor for Dallas Basketball, where he extensively covers the Dallas Mavericks. He also covers the Chicago Bulls as the Managing Editor for Bulls Wire of USA Today Sports Media Group. Mulford grew up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and graduated from the University of North Texas in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Event, and Sports Management. He began his pursuit of sports writing in 2017 with Dallas Sports Fanatic, where he covered the Mavericks’ G League affiliate, Texas Legends. He then became the Managing Editor of Dallas Sports Fanatic just one year later and has covered the Mavericks as a credentialed media member since 2018, including covering numerous playoff games between 2021-22 and covering the team at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas in 2019. In his time covering the Mavericks, Mulford has conducted numerous interviews for exclusive stories including with Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki, former Maverick and current VP of Basketball Ops Michael Finley, former Mavericks GM Donnie Nelson, and more. You can follow and interact with Mulford on Twitter at @TheMulf.