Thunder Game Day: OKC Takes On Mavericks With No. 1 Seed in Reach

The Thunder are looking for one more victory to close out the regular season.

Feb 4, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) / Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

The Oklahoma City Thunder have plenty to play for on the final day of the regular season.

Entering Sunday as the No. 1 seed in the West, Oklahoma City is poised to earn home-court advantage through the first three rounds of the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks are locked into the fifth spot in the West and have a first-round date with the LA Clippers.

Most of the Mavericks’ rotation, including Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, will not play in game 82. If the Thunder can deliver as heavy favorites, they will secure a top-two spot in the conference, needing other results to guarantee the top seed.

Apr 12, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) / Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

ODDS: 

The Thunder enter the day as 19.5-point favorites against the Mavericks, and the total over/under is 224.5 points.

KEYS TO THE GAME: 

As Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said after Friday’s results pushed the Thunder to the top of the West, the team needs to “run through the finish line.” With everyone good to go, capturing a big early lead should be the top priority.

However, the Mavericks’ lack of typical contributors is no reason to take the game lightly. Although none have come at home, the Thunder have suffered losses to some of the worst teams in the league this season.

Oklahoma City has also shown its ability to dominate lesser competition with 16 wins of at least 20 points, including three wins of at least 40 points. Although early start times have not always been the team’s strong suit, motivation to secure home court should be enough for a win.

Thunder rookies Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace are two of only 17 players who have not missed a game this season. Assuming they play Sunday, they will be the first Thunder players to play every game of a season since Raymond Felton and Patrick Patterson did so in the 2017-18 season.

RECORDS: 

Oklahoma City Thunder (56-25) vs. Dallas Mavericks (50-31)

INJURIES: 

Check out our live injury tracker, along with our game day injury report that will release later today.

WHEN: 

Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 2:30 PM CT

LOCATION: 

Paycom Center - Oklahoma City, OK

TV/RADIO: 

Bally Sports Oklahoma, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal

Live Stream: fuboTV (Start Your Free Trial)

FINAL WORD:  

Throughout this season, the Thunder have consistently exceeded expectations and have the opportunity to secure the best record in the West on Sunday. Although the Thunder’s youth has caused doubts, if this regular season is any indication, they could be in for a deep playoff run.

The Thunder will start their playoff run in Paycom Center next weekend when they host a Game 1 for the first time since 2018.

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