Mavericks-Thunder Game 3 Free Pick
(The Spread) – What is in store for Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals after no shortage of excitement in the first games between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder?
Oddsmakers from online sports book Bodog.com have made the Thunder a 2.5-point favorite in Game 3 Saturday night over the Mavericks and the over-under is currently set at 201. Game time is slated to begin at 9:05PM EST and it will air on ESPN.
Oklahoma City prevailed 106-100 in Game 2 Thursday night behind a balanced scoring attack, headed by 24 points from superstar Kevin Durant. Off the bench, James Harden was stellar as he accounted for 23 points along with seven rebounds and four assists.
Making headlines for the Thunder despite the win was the benching of point guard Russell Westbrook, who did not play in the fourth quarter after a dispute with Scott Brooks that apparently stemmed from Westbrook not running the play Brooks had called. Backup Eric Maynor took the floor for the fourth quarter and finished the contest with 13 points.
According to latest NBA trends, Oklahoma is 8-4 against the spread versus Dallas over the last three seasons.
NBA Playoffs Free Pick: From what I have read and believe, the Thunder have put the Westbrook issue in the rearview mirror and are focused on Game 3. Winning cures all and the fact they won Thursday without Westbrook was huge in keeping the team psyche and specifically their point guard’s intact. I think Westbrook responds Saturday night with a huge effort as he probably feels he has something to prove after two poor showings. Couple that with the steady scoring of Durant along with what will be a raucous Oklahoma City crowd and I think the Thunder cover the -2.5 here.
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS FREE PICK: OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER -2.5
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