Dallas Mavericks vs OKC Thunder Prediction and Betting Tips | Jan. 23, 2025

The NBA’s Thursday slate features a Dallas Mavericks versus OKC Thunder showdown, a rematch of last season’s Western Conference semifinals. Despite key injuries on both sides, this game remains highly anticipated as part of the league’s Rivals Week.

Although the Mavericks won the playoff series last year and advanced to the NBA Finals — where they fell to the Boston Celtics — their current campaign has been rocky. Star guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have both missed time due to injuries, and Dallas has lost 10 of its last 13 games.

Even so, the Doncic-less Mavericks secured a 106-98 win over the Thunder — who were without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — in their most recent meeting, improving their head-to-head record this season to 2-1.

Here’s a preview of the Dallas Mavericks versus OKC Thunder matchup, set to tip off at 8:00 p.m. ET at Paycom Center in downtown OKC.

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Dallas Mavericks vs. OKC Thunder Prediction, Preview and Odds

Moneyline: Thunder (-785) vs Mavericks (+545)

Spread: Thunder -13.5 (-110) vs Mavericks +13.5 (-110)

Total (O/U): Thunder o219.5 (-110) vs Mavericks u219.5 (-110)

Editor's note: The odds could change close to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.

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Dallas Mavericks vs. OKC Thunder preview

Injuries have plagued the Mavericks this season. Luka Doncic is expected to return before the All-Star break, but the team suffered another blow with sophomore center Dereck Lively II’s foot fracture.

The team announced it as a stress fracture in his right ankle, sidelining him for at least four weeks. Lively has averaged 9.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.7 blocks per game this season.

Without Doncic and Lively, Dallas will lean heavily on Kyrie Irving and P.J. Washington, both of whom have delivered strong performances against the Thunder in the past.

Meanwhile, the Thunder are eager for revenge after their recent loss to Dallas. With MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander back in action, fresh off a career-high 54-point game against the Utah Jazz, OKC is poised for a strong showing.

While they’ll still be missing Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, the Thunder’s small-ball lineups have been highly effective, keeping them near the top of the league in defensive and net ratings.

Both teams enter this game on the second night of back-to-back games.

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Dallas Mavericks vs. OKC Thunder predicted starting lineups

The latest injury reports are yet to be updated, but for the Thunder, Ajay Mitchell is out with a toe injury, Isaiah Hartenstein is out with a calf strain and Chet Holmgren is out with a hip injury.

For the Mavericks, their injury report against the Timberwolves listed Luka Doncic (calf), Dante Exum (wrist), Dwight Powell (hip), Jaden Hardy (ankle), Dereck Lively II (ankle), Klay Thompson (ankle) and Naji Marshall (illness) as out.

Thunder

G - Shai Gigleous-Alexander | G - Cason Wallace | F - Lu Dort | F - Jalen Williams | C - Jaylin Williams

Mavericks

G - Kyrie Irving | G - Quentin Grimes | F - Olivier-Maxence Prosper | F - P.J. Washington | C - Daniel Gafford

Editor's note: These are the predicted lineups and could change based on the availability of players.

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Dallas Mavericks vs. OKC Thunder betting props

Betting props will be updated here as they become available.

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Dallas Mavericks vs. OKC Thunder prediction

This Rivals Week matchup promises to deliver intensity, even with numerous injuries tempering expectations. Still, we anticipate a Thunder win, with OKC clearing the over. Look for a low-scoring first half, as both teams will be playing on tired legs from back-to-back games.