OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks: Prediction, picks, injury updates and odds

The OKC Thunder will face the Dallas Mavericks on the road at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

OKC (34-6) earned a 134-114 home win over Cleveland on Thursday. The Thunder is now tied with the Cavaliers for the best record in the NBA.

Dallas (22-19) suffered a 119-116 road loss to New Orleans on Wednesday. The Mavericks will be without star guard Luka Doncic (left calf strain).

Here’s a preview of the Thunder-Mavericks game, including score predictions, betting odds and injury updates.

More:Thunder vs Mavericks score, live updates: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander out for OKC against Dallas

Thunder vs. Mavericks prediction, picks

Justin Martinez: OKC 115, Dallas 108

Dallas earned a 121-119 win over OKC without Doncic on Nov. 17, but I don’t see that happening again. OKC is the hottest team in the league, as seen by its destruction of Cleveland on Thursday, and Cason Wallace was the only starter who played in the fourth quarter of the blowout victory. The Thunder should be rested enough to beat the Mavericks, who won’t be able to enforce their will down low as much without Dereck Lively II (ankle).

More:How did Thunder dismantle Cavaliers? 30-2 runs ‘like that don’t happen too often’

Thunder vs. Mavericks betting odds

Odds courtesy of via BetMGM as of Friday, Jan. 17

Odds: Thunder by 7.5

Over/under: 222.5

Moneyline: OKC -300 | Dallas +240

More:OKC Thunder plays brand of basketball that should be admired like a beautiful work of art

Thunder vs. Mavericks injury updates

Thunder: Isaiah Hartenstein (left soleus strain) is out. Chet Holmgren (right iliac wing fracture) is out. Dillon Jones (G League assignment) is out. Ajay Mitchell (right great toe surgery) is out. Nikola Topic (left knee surgery) is out.

Mavericks: Luka Doncic (left calf strain) is out. Kessler Edwards (G League two-way) is out. Dante Exum (right wrist surgery) is out. Jazian Gortman (G League two-way) is out. Kyrie Irving (lumbar back sprain) is questionable. Dereck Lively II (right ankle sprain).

More:Branden Carlson delivers ‘amazing’ impact for OKC Thunder, filling in for injured bigs

Projected Thunder starting lineup

(With season averages)

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 31.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6 assists
  • Cason Wallace: 7.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals
  • Lu Dort: 10 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists
  • Jalen Williams: 20.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists
  • Jaylin Williams: 4.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists

More:Will OKC Thunder’s Jalen Williams be named NBA All-Star? Why he deserves selection

Projected Mavericks starting lineup

  • Kyrie Irving: 23.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists
  • Klay Thompson: 13.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists
  • Naji Marshall: 11 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists
  • P.J. Washington: 13 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists
  • Daniel Gafford: 11.7 points, 6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks

More:Why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is comfortable with OKC Thunder: ‘I love where I am’

How to watch Thunder vs. Mavericks

OKC will face Dallas on the road at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, on FanDuel Sports Network.

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