Tonight, the Dallas Mavericks (8-15) face the red-hot Oklahoma City Thunder (21-1) at Paycom Center. The game tips off at 9:30 p.m. ET on Prime Video.
Dallas has won three straight, beating the Heat and Nuggets in back-to-back games. They’ll try to push the streak to four against the league-leading Thunder, owners of a 13-game winning streak.
Below, we’ll break down our Mavericks vs. Thunder prediction and player picks for tonight’s matchup, including top NBA picks on PrizePicks' real-money NBA game for PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and SG Cooper Flagg.
Mavericks vs. Thunder Prediction, Preview
Here’s how the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder stack up heading into tonight’s matchup.
Mavericks Preview
- The Dallas Mavericks (8-15) look to continue their three-game winning streak against an elite Oklahoma City Thunder (21-1) squad on Friday night.
- The Mavericks have won three consecutive games and currently rank 12th in the Western Conference
- During the Mavericks’ three-game winning streak, which includes an impressive 131–121 upset of the Nuggets, rookie guard Cooper Flagg is averaging 27 PPG in that span.
- Dallas enters with significant injury concerns. PG Kyrie Irving (knee) and C Dereck Lively II (foot) are out, while PF P.J. Washington (ankle) and C Daniel Gafford (ankle) are listed as questionable.
Thunder Preview
- The Oklahoma City Thunder look to extend their historic 13-game winning streak when they host the Dallas Mavericks tonight at Paycom Center.
- The Thunder sit atop the West at 21–1 and lead the league in defensive efficiency, allowing just 107.0 points per game while forcing 18.0 turnovers and holding opponents to 42.4% shooting.
- Oklahoma City enters with some injury concerns of its own. The Thunder will be without G Luguentz Dort (thigh), G Alex Caruso (quad), C Isaiah Hartenstein (soleus), and G Nikola Topic (cancer) tonight.
Mavericks vs. Thunder Spread, Total for Friday, Dec. 5
The Mavericks enter this matchup as 15.5-point road underdogs, returning a 6.66x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Thunder are home favorites with a 1.08x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
- Spread: Oklahoma City Thunder -15.5
- Total: 228.5
- Game Winner Payout: Mavericks 6.66x | Thunder 1.08x
Mavericks vs. Thunder Picks for PrizePicks Tonight
Here are the top Mavericks vs. Thunder picks for Friday’s matchup on PrizePicks. Use PrizePicks' real-money NBA game and win real money if your picks are right.
Thunder PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs. Mavericks Projection: 31.5 Points
- SGA is averaging 35.6 points over his last five games and has notched 30+ points in eight of his last 10 games.
- Gilgeous-Alexander owns a 93-game streak of scoring 20+ points, the second-longest in NBA history, behind only Wilt Chamberlain's 126-game streak.
- The reigning MVP has historically dominated Dallas, averaging 33.0 points per game in his last five meetings and 32.2 PPG over his last 10 games against the Mavericks.
- Dallas allows 55.2 PPG in the paint, which is the second-worst in the league.
- The Thunder are 10-0 at home, where SGA has scored 30+ in 9 of his 10 games at Paycom Center (90%) and is averaging 33.2 PPG.
Mavericks SG Cooper Flagg vs. Thunder Projection: 16.5 Points
- Flagg is on an absolute tear, averaging 27.0 points over his last three games on 59.3% shooting, including a historic 35-point performance that made him the youngest player ever to score 35+.
- The rookie's minutes have spiked to 34.2 MPG during his three-game 20+ point streak, a feat only LeBron James matched as an 18-year-old, ensuring heavy offensive involvement.
- Dallas’ guard has shot 50.6% from the field over his last 10 games while averaging 19.3 PPG.
- The former Duke Blue Devil averages 16.8 PPG on the road heading into Paycom Center.
Thunder C Chet Holmgren vs. Mavericks Projection: 28.5 PRA
- Thunder C Chet Holmgren posted 31 PRA (18 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists) in his only matchup with Dallas this season on Oct. 27, clearing this line in 32 minutes while shooting 60% from the field and adding four blocks.
- Holmgren has gone over 28.5 PRA in 12 of 18 games (66.7%), including three of his past five, and he’s averaging 18.4 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists this season.
- Dallas is severely depleted at center with Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford sidelined, forcing them to lean on small-ball looks and limited backup options
- Holmgren has dominated big-friendly matchups this season, posting 35+ PRA against the Hornets (35), Pelicans (35), Warriors (36), and Hawks (43), and with Dallas forced to rely on limited center depth, expect another high-volume interior performance tonight.
Make Mavericks vs. Thunder Picks on PrizePicks
The Mavericks vs. Thunder showdown offers plenty of options to make your NBA picks on PrizePicks. Just predict More or Less on NBA player projections and win real money if your picks are right
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