Dallas re-took the series lead Thursday with a gutsy 104-92 win that included a legendary Luca Doncic performance. The Dallas superstar recorded his sixth career playoff triple-double by scoring 31 points to go with 11 assists and 10 rebounds. 

In a series featuring several all-world scorers, just getting to 100 points as a team has been one of the keys to victory. Three times this series the losing team has finished in the 90s for scoring, and the winning team has registered 105 or fewer points three times as well. 

Tip-off for Game 6 at American Airlines Center goes at 8 p.m. EDT with the home Mavericks a -175 moneyline favourite to close out the series and the over-under set at 209.5 on the NBA odds.

Thunder vs. Mavericks NBA Playoff Betting Odds

Another Oklahoma City Thunder playoff game, another under. In nine Thunder playoff games this season, the under is 7-2 and seven times the losing team has finished under 100 points. The concern is that in Game 5, the Thunder were held to under 100 points for the first time. 

Oklahoma City’s had a bunch of success both on the road and in Dallas though, going 3-1 on the road in the post-season overall and covering in six of their last eight trips to Dallas. OKC is also 10-5 ATS in their last 15 meetings with the Mavericks. The winner of every game this series has also covered the spread.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can’t do it all by himself, as proven again in Game 5’s loss for OKC. Gilgeous-Alexander had a strong night with a team-high 30 points on 12 of 22 shooting from the field but after him, no other Thunder player had more than 13 points. OKC as a team shot 42.5 per cent from the field and hit 10 of their 40 three-pointers, and got out-rebounded 46-33.

The other concern is that in their biggest game of the year, this young and unexperienced Thunder squad laid an egg. Oklahoma City made a starting lineup change in Game 5 to with Isaiah Joe replacing Josh Giddey at the shooting guard position. Ironically, Joe had six points and shot two of nine from the field in 22 minutes and Giddey scored 11 points in 12 minutes. Expect Giddey to get back into OKC’s starting rotation in this do-or-die scenario.

Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic’s scoring struggles was a trending storyline throughout this series, but the injured superstar may have put all the bad press to rest in Game 5. Doncic’s 31 points, and triple-double, carried Dallas to victory on the road and they’re now on the same trajectory as last round: split the first two road games, split their two home games, and then go on to win Game 5 and close out the series in Game 6 on the road.

With secondary scorers often being the extra push that’s needed to win games, the Mavs got the boost from an unlikely source in Game 5: Derrick Jones Jr. The 27-year-old had a career-high 19 points in the win. P.J. Washington Jr., who’s been an absolute force this series, also contributed with 10 points and 10 rebounds. And we’re due for a big Kyrie Irving performance — just saying.

Game 6 Prediction: Who Will Win Thunder vs. Mavericks?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Thunder Team Leaders

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 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 30.2
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

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

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Mavericks Team Leaders

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 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 30.2
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

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

Injuries

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

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

Injuries

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.

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.