The NBA Cup is out of the group stage, and into the elimination stage. It is getting exciting as there will be a new champion of the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup.

There are two games today, one in each conference. However, it is the Western Conference that we will focus on, after all it is a rematch of the Western Conference Semifinals.

 

 

 

Dallas Mavericks: Backslider

The Dallas Mavericks currently have the longest winning streak in the NBA with seven straight. They have moved into fourth of the Western Conference in doing so. They earned a spot into the 2024 NBA Cup due to having the best point differential. For most, including The Toadies, backsliding is a bad thing… For the Dallas Mavericks it means sliding back as the face of the Western Conference.

Dallas entered as a wild card and are playing a familiar foe in the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Mavericks have been putting it together behind great play from their front court, and a deep rotation at center. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have been excellent but are always that way. The difference is coming from their forwards and fresh centers.

 

 

 

Oklahoma City Thunder: One Of These Nights

The Thunder are the best team in the Western Conference and have won their last three games in a row. They have also won their last seven of ten games, and have the second best defense in the Association, allowing only 103.8 points per game. Only the Orlando Magic allow less.

They find themselves in an eerily familiar position as a red hot Dallas Mavericks team comes into town in win or out of the tournament…again. There is one big difference in this match (other than one being in the playoffs and one being in season), and it is Isaiah Hartenstein. 

He was not part of the playoff series last year but could have a big impact in this game. Keep an eye on his impact around the rim. His offense is not the greatest, but his rebounding is elite.

 

 

 

Dallas Mavericks Starting Lineup

Oklahoma City Thunder Starting Lineup

 

 

 

Mavericks vs. Thunder Predictions & Picks Today: Tuesday 12/10

Both the Mavericks and the Thunder have a great opportunity to win this game, hence why the spread is at four points in favor of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

It is projected to be a high scoring game with a 231-point total, 17.5 points more than the Milwaukee Bucks versus Orlando Magic game.

 

 

 

Mavericks vs. Thunder Prediction: Luka Doncic Over 28.5 Points (-115 on DraftKings Sportsbook)

Either the point total is off, or the stars of this game are going to score early and often. Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are the stars, and they each have the highest projected point total for their team. Gilgeous-Alexander’s line is at 31.5 and Doncic’s is at 28.5 points.

Luka has been a scoring machine since returning from an injury break. He has scored 30 or more points in all but one game, and although the Oklahoma City Thunder have the best defense in the conference, Luka has scored against them at will.

He scored 29 or more points against them in three games of the Western Conference Semifinals, and we are counting on him scoring at least 29 points again. Someone has to be the driving force to get to the 231-point total, it might as well be the reigning Western Conference Finals MVP. 

Put a unit on Luka to shine in another elimination game. 

 

 

 

Bet Smart, Be Lucky -Iggy-