OKC took care of business to open the series with a 117-95 victory on Tuesday that was never in doubt. Arguably the biggest storyline heading into this series was the battle of two MVP candidates, Luka Doncic for Dallas and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for Oklahoma City. Gilgeous-Alexander has the edge after round one, scoring a game-high 28 points to go with nine rebounds and nine assists. Doncic finished with just 19 points and shot one for eight from the three-point line. 

Tip-off for Game 2 at Paycom Center gets started at 9:30 p.m. EDT with Oklahoma City a 4.5-point favourite on home court and the over-under at 218.5 on the NBA odds.

Mavericks vs. Thunder NBA Betting Odds

The Thunder covered with ease in Game 1, improving to 8-1 ATS over their last nine outings and making it eight straight home wins in the process. OKC is also 4-1 ATS in their last five times hosting the Mavericks, and 4-1 in the season series with Dallas. Game 1’s first quarter saw a combined 46 points and a 23-23 score, but both teams opened it up in the next quarter with a combined 69 points and a nine-point Thunder lead. Dallas got to as close as within one point in third quarter, but the Thunder then pulled away to finish what they started.

The Thunder are now -225 to win the series. OKC in five is the most probable series outcome at +300 odds. Dallas in five games is at +1200 odds, the longest out of the possible series outcomes.

Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks learned the way that the Thunder are a team without a distinct weakness. No Dallas player finished above 20 points in their 18-point loss Tuesday at Oklahoma City, and the Mavericks had their hands full with the Thunder’s top offensive weapons. Dallas also got outrebounded 52-39, an aspect of Game 1 that prevented any kind of Mavericks comeback. 

Dallas’ top priority moving forward should be to get Luka Doncic going. Doncic’s uncharacteristic 19 points in Game 1 had the Mavericks doomed — especially when the secondary contributors aren’t going above and beyond. Centre Daniel Gafford had 16 points in the loss, but after that no Mavericks player went above 11 points and as a team Dallas shot under 40 per cent.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t afraid of the spotlight. The MVP finalist led OKC with 29 points in Game 1 and wasn’t afraid to go at Luka Doncic, highlighted by a three-pointer in Doncic’s face during the third quarter that put the Thunder up by double digits. Gilgeous-Alexander was a rebound and an assist shy of a triple-double in Game 1.

The Thunder set an Oklahoma City playoff record with 29 assists. Eight players recorded multiple assists, including four bench players. Aaron Wiggins saw 23 minutes off the bench and led all bench scorers with 16 points. It’s also not just Gilgeous-Alexander who isn’t afraid of the spotlight, it’s all these youngsters that made OKC the top seed in the West.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Mavericks vs. Thunder?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Mavericks Team Leaders

DAL

Points	Luka Doncic 33.86
Assists	Luka Doncic 9.8
Rebounds	Luka Doncic 9.24
FG%	Daniel Gafford 78
Steals	Alex Fudge 1.5
Blocks	Daniel Gafford 1.93

OKC

Points	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30.05
Assists	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 6.2
Rebounds	Chet Holmgren 7.9
FG%	Bismack Biyombo 58.3
Steals	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 2
Blocks	Chet Holmgren 2.32

DAL

Points	Luka Doncic 28.86
Assists	Luka Doncic 8.09
Rebounds	Luka Doncic 9.45
FG%	Dereck Lively II 67.4
Steals	Luka Doncic 1.86
Blocks	Daniel Gafford 1.5

OKC

Points	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30.2
Assists	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 6.4
Rebounds	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 7.2
FG%	Ousmane Dieng 50
Steals	Jalen Williams 1.7
Blocks	Chet Holmgren 2.5

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Thunder Team Leaders

DAL

Points	Luka Doncic 33.86
Assists	Luka Doncic 9.8
Rebounds	Luka Doncic 9.24
FG%	Daniel Gafford 78
Steals	Alex Fudge 1.5
Blocks	Daniel Gafford 1.93

OKC

Points	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30.05
Assists	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 6.2
Rebounds	Chet Holmgren 7.9
FG%	Bismack Biyombo 58.3
Steals	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 2
Blocks	Chet Holmgren 2.32

DAL

Points	Luka Doncic 28.86
Assists	Luka Doncic 8.09
Rebounds	Luka Doncic 9.45
FG%	Dereck Lively II 67.4
Steals	Luka Doncic 1.86
Blocks	Daniel Gafford 1.5

OKC

Points	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30.2
Assists	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 6.4
Rebounds	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 7.2
FG%	Ousmane Dieng 50
Steals	Jalen Williams 1.7
Blocks	Chet Holmgren 2.5

Injuries

Dallas

Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)

Prob Tues Ankle - 06 / 05 / 24

Maxi Kleber (PF)

Doub Tues Shoulder - 04 / 05 / 24

Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)

Prob Tues Ankle - 24 / 04 / 24

Daniel Gafford (PF)

Ques Fri Back - 24 / 04 / 24

Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)

Prob Sun Illness - 20 / 04 / 24

Maxi Kleber (PF)

Prob Sun Back - 13 / 04 / 24

Dante Exum (PG)

Prob Sun Foot - 13 / 04 / 24

Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)

Prob Sun Shoulder - 13 / 04 / 24

Daniel Gafford (PF)

Prob Sun Elbow - 13 / 04 / 24

P.J. Washington (PF)

Prob Sun Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24

Oklahoma City

Josh Giddey (SG)

Prob Sun Hip - 12 / 04 / 24

Luguentz Dort (SG)

Out Wed Rest - 10 / 04 / 24

Jaylin Williams (PF)

Prob Wed Back - 10 / 04 / 24

Isaiah Joe (PG)

Prob Sun Ankle - 06 / 04 / 24

Gordon Hayward (SF)

Prob Wed Leg - 05 / 04 / 24

Luguentz Dort (SG)

Prob Tues Nose - 24 / 03 / 24

Bismack Biyombo (C)

Prob Fri Undisclosed - 06 / 03 / 24

Jaylin Williams (PF)

Prob Fri Knee - 01 / 03 / 24

Gordon Hayward (SF)

Prob Thurs Calf - 11 / 02 / 24

Lindy Waters III (SF)

Ques Tues Ankle - 06 / 02 / 24

Injuries

Dallas

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)	Prob Tues	Ankle - 06 / 05 / 24	9-6	7-9	+ -
Hardaway Jr. is dealing with a right ankle sprain, but he is likely to suit up against the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference second round.
Maxi Kleber (PF)	Doub Tues	Shoulder - 04 / 05 / 24	10-6	8-9	+ -
Kleber is hampered by a dislocation of the AC joint in his right shoulder, and is not expected to play in Game 4 against the Timberwolves on Tuesday.
Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)	Prob Tues	Ankle - 24 / 04 / 24	12-8	9-12	+ -
Hardaway Jr. is dealing with a right ankle sprain, and he is likely to suit up against the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference second round.
Daniel Gafford (PF)	Ques Fri	Back - 24 / 04 / 24	12-8	9-12	+ -
Gafford is hindered by lower-back soreness, and it is up in the air if he will line up for Game 3 of the Western Conference first round versus the Clippers.
Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)	Prob Sun	Illness - 20 / 04 / 24	12-9	9-13	+ -
Hardaway is ailing from an illness, but it is not expected to impact his status for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Clippers.
Maxi Kleber (PF)	Prob Sun	Back - 13 / 04 / 24	13-10	9-15	+ -
Kleber is dealing with back spasms, but it is forecasted that he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Clippers.
Dante Exum (PG)	Prob Sun	Foot - 13 / 04 / 24	13-10	9-15	+ -
Exum is laid up with a right foot sprain, but it is predicted that he will participate in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Clippers.
Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)	Prob Sun	Shoulder - 13 / 04 / 24	13-10	9-15	+ -
Jones is hampered by a left shoulder sprain, but it is projected that he will line up against the Clippers in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.
Daniel Gafford (PF)	Prob Sun	Elbow - 13 / 04 / 24	13-10	9-15	+ -
Gafford is tending to right elbow soreness, but it is expected that he will take on the Clippers in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.
P.J. Washington (PF)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24	13-10	9-15	+ -
Washington is nursing a right ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will face the Clippers in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.

Oklahoma City

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Josh Giddey (SG)	Prob Sun	Hip - 12 / 04 / 24	8-4	3-9	+ -
Giddey missed the previous contest with a right hip contusion, but it is forecasted that he will suit up Sunday against the Mavericks.
Luguentz Dort (SG)	Out Wed	Rest - 10 / 04 / 24	9-4	3-10	+ -
Dort will not play against the Spurs on Wednesday as he will receive a day of rest.
Jaylin Williams (PF)	Prob Wed	Back - 10 / 04 / 24	9-4	3-10	+ -
Williams has a lower-back contusion, but it is likely that he will dress for Wednesday's matchup with the Spurs.
Isaiah Joe (PG)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 06 / 04 / 24	9-6	5-10	+ -
Joe is expected to be in Sunday's lineup versus the Hornets despite a right ankle sprain.
Gordon Hayward (SF)	Prob Wed	Leg - 05 / 04 / 24	9-7	6-10	+ -
Hayward has missed the last two contests with left leg soreness, but it is expected that he will face the Spurs on Wednesday.
Luguentz Dort (SG)	Prob Tues	Nose - 24 / 03 / 24	12-11	10-13	+ -
Dort was removed from the previous game with a nasal contusion, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Tuesday's matchup with the Pelicans.
Bismack Biyombo (C)	Prob Fri	Undisclosed - 06 / 03 / 24	13-18	13-18	+ -
Biyombo exited the last game with an unknown issue, but it is not expected to affect his status for Friday's clash against the Heat.
Jaylin Williams (PF)	Prob Fri	Knee - 01 / 03 / 24	15-19	14-20	+ -
Williams has been absent the previous two matchups due to a left knee sprain, but it is likely that he will play Friday against the Heat.
Gordon Hayward (SF)	Prob Thurs	Calf - 11 / 02 / 24	20-20	19-20-1	+ -
Hayward has missed the previous two games due to left calf strain, but it is likely that he will suit up Thursday versus the Clippers.
Lindy Waters III (SF)	Ques Tues	Ankle - 06 / 02 / 24	20-22	21-20-1	+ -
Waters III is hampered by a left ankle strain, and it has yet to be determined if he will play the Jazz on Tuesday.