NBA: Destiny Awaits for Mavericks Against Thunder

The Dallas Mavericks enter Game 6 on the back of one of the greatest comebacks in playoff history. Dirk Nowitzki is ready to lead the Mavs back to the promised land of the NBA Finals but don’t count out the Thunder just yet.

Man on a mission
Dirk Nowitzki knows what it’s like to lose on the big stage. All the criticisms lobbed at LeBron James for choking in the post-season have been dished out on the big German as well. Nowitzki’s had the added annoyance of his strength being questions, as though being European somehow makes him anything other than a 7 foot monster. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, in these playoffs Dirk Nowitzki has entered beast mode.

What does that mean? Well he’s always been a top performer in the playoffs, his stats show that, but this year there’s something different. Nowitzki has always been determined but right now he is obsessed and infusing his team mates with that obsession. In his mind, no-one has a right to stand in his way. No-one is entitled to even so much as try to stop the Dallas Mavericks. There is no perfect way to cover him, no easy way to reduce the chance that he will score. From any point on the court he is a threat. Humble as he may look, he wants you to know that.

OKC can force a shootout
For all the intimidating might of Nowitzki, he’s not going up against any mere mortal tonight. Kevin Durant is a young man in a hurry. He took just one year to leave and indelible mark of the University of Texas, now he’s looking to conquer the NBA within three seasons. Survival is what tonight is all about for the Thunder. Despite coming out at the wrong end of three games so far, Durant has shown that he can keep the Thunder competitive even in the frenzy of a high-scoring game. If anything they have thrived in these environments. That’s just as well because defensively they haven’t been competitive in this series. Durant and Russell Westbrook need to come out all guns blazing for the Thunder to bring the series back to Oklahoma City.

The verdict
It’s going to take a complete turnaround from Westbrook for OKC to win this game. While I find the criticism he has faced has been overly harsh, NBA betting fans can’t ignore a woeful 25 of 72 record from the field. The Mavs might possess a significantly older roster but it’s also much deeper than their opponents. The older bodies that start for Dallas are able to rest because scoring threats like Jason Terry and J.J. Barea can come in a contribute significantly. That’s going to make a big difference tonight. Bet on the Dallas Mavericks to win big as -6.5 favorites with Sports Interaction.