- What: NBA Cup Game
- When: December 10, 2024
- Who: Dallas Mavericks vs. OKC Thunder
- Time: 6:30 p.m. PST
- Where: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, OK)
After missing out on the knockout stages of last season’s in-season tournament, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks are both aiming for a spot in the semifinals as they face off in the quarterfinals of the Emirates NBA Cup this Tuesday at the Paycom Center.
OKC Thunder
After suffering consecutive losses to the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs last month, the Oklahoma City Thunder have made a remarkable comeback, winning seven out of their last eight games.
Even more impressive is that these victories have come with an average winning margin of 16.7 points, largely thanks to the outstanding performance of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a leading contender for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
The 26-year-old former University of Kentucky guard has been in phenomenal form, averaging 29.8 points, 6.5 assists, and 5.4 rebounds while boasting an impressive shooting percentage of 50.7% from the field.
See you all tonight for the NBA Cup quarterfinals ????
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???? @sportsanimal pic.twitter.com/mXypuLLcQv— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 10, 2024
Recently, Gilgeous-Alexander has elevated his game even further, recording averages of 31.9 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.1 rebounds over the Thunder’s last seven victories.
With both Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder finding their rhythm, it may be wise for bettors to consider backing them to cover the spread and make it to the semifinal round of the Emirates NBA Cup.
To achieve this goal, the Thunder will need contributions from all players, particularly their bench, to counter any offensive outbursts from stars like Luka Doncic, Klay Thompson, or Kyrie Irving.
Dallas Mavericks
In their first matchup against Dallas this season, Oklahoma City’s bench struggled significantly, contributing only 25 points compared to the Mavericks’ 50 points from their reserves.
After a slow start this season, the Dallas Mavericks are finding their rhythm, achieving their seventh consecutive win with a 125-118 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Saturday.
Win or go home.
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⌚ 8:30PM CT
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???? 97.1 FM and 99.1 FM pic.twitter.com/sYGsdJZGBy— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) December 10, 2024
All-Star guard Luka Doncic showcased his prowess, recording an impressive triple-double with 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, while Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson contributed 29 and 20 points, respectively.
Dallas’ bench significantly impacted the game as well, combining for 26 points, with guard Spencer Dinwiddie leading the charge by scoring 11 points in 24 minutes.
Mavs-Thunder Best Bet
The Mavericks aim to maintain their winning streak as they prepare to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the do-or-die quarterfinal round of the Emirates NBA Cup, and signs suggest they could succeed.
Despite Oklahoma City’s strong performance this season, the Mavericks have begun to make headlines recently, notably defeating them earlier in the year even without Doncic.
With Doncic’s wrist fully healed, Dallas now possesses the offensive firepower to match up well against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder, making the current betting odds quite appealing.
Both teams are entering this game on a hot streak, making it a tough choice to pick a side.
This game should be very competitive but I would take the points and back the Mavs in this one.
Mavs +4.5 points at -110 odds is the best bet in this one.
Dice City Sports — where we provide premium, exclusive, up-to-date news and analysis surrounding the Las Vegas sports scene. Follow along on social media, and check back for new articles daily!
Tony Reyes is a sports betting analyst and reporter for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X @TonyParlay.
