The Thunder are a game back from Dallas in the Western Conference and have a great chance to erase that deficit in the January 27th NBA betting free pick. Oklahoma City has a 5-game winning streak going as they welcome the Mavericks to Chesapeake Energy Arena on Monday. The Thunder scored a 106-101 win in the series on New Year’s Eve, can they repeat as +1 home underdogs in the rematch?
Mavericks Getting Stronger in the Middle
The loss of Dwight Powell (Achilles) will hurt Dallas on the blocks, but not as much now that the team was able to acquire Willie Cauley-Stein from Golden State. Cauley-Stein will be reinvigorated after the Warriors’ horrible start to the season and Kristaps Porzingis will be able to go back to the PF position primarily.
Cauley-Stein should be in the lineup in the January 27th NBA betting free pick, which helps Dallas’ chances against Steven Adams and the Thunder. The Mavericks almost seem like a strange road favorite on Monday considering OKC is 15-9 at home and has won five straight overall.
Dallas also already has a loss to the Thunder this season, 106-101 back on December 31st in OKC. The Mavericks were without Porzingis in that meeting, but they also got a 36/10/7 night from Luka Doncic and it still wasn’t enough for the victory. Another big night from Doncic is almost a given as he has 25+ in five straight games. Will it be enough this time though?
Thunder Have Been Very Impressive As of Late
OKC is on a nice little roll with wins in 5 in a row. This weekend’s set of victories continued to be impressive as the Thunder took down Atlanta 140-111 on Friday and survived the back-to-back the next night against Minnesota in a 113-104 road win. The victory over the Wolves not only came on 0 days rest, but without Danillo Gallinari (thumb) and Terrance Ferguson (personal)
Even without two starters, the Thunder showed their depth when Darius Bazley stepped in at the PF spot with 15 points and Luguentz Dort chipped in 10 in the back court. Of course it’s still Chris Paul leading the way as he had 25 and 10 assists vs. the Wolves on Saturday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to break out and has double digit rebounds in 3 of the last 5. Dallas is a top 7 rebounding team though.
Four OKC players had over 15 points in the first meeting with Dallas this season. It was needed to because the Mavericks held a 32-20 lead after the 1st quarter. Gallinari should be back in the lineup tonight which will help their front court.
January 27th NBA Betting Free Pick
The Mavericks are one of the road teams in the league going 15-6 on the season. Dallas did hold a 12-point lead in their first meeting but ultimately OKC showed the grit that will give them the same type of edge on Monday night. 80% of the early public like Dallas, but the Thunder should continue to roll.
Pick: Oklahoma City +1
