Chris Hodge, Free Picks Newsletter Editor
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NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks (-6.5)

With a 3-1 series lead and two of the next three games scheduled for thir home court, the Dallas Mavericks are in an ideal position to move ahead to the NBA Finals.

In all honestly, after watching the conclusion of Game 4, I believe the next time the Mavs take the court after tonight’s game, it will be against Eastern Conference champions in the NBA Finals.

Dirk Nowitzki has downright amazing at times over the past few games. The 40 points he put on the board in Game 4 was the factor that led Dallas to come from 15-points behind with just a few minutes left in the game, to an overtime victory.

The Thunder doesn’t seem to have a solid answer to the Mavs’ talent and experience.

By the end of the Game 4, it seemed that the Thunder’s spirit was starting to wane and they were playing as a shell of what they were a few weeks ago. It will be interesting to see how they play in Dallas.

The Thunder are 2-5 against the Mavs this season and the only two wins for Oklahoma City have come in Texas – including the team’s only win in this best-of-seven series. With their spirit crushed as it was in Game 4, I don’t see the Thunder stepping up and grabbing their third win in Dallas this seaosn.

Tonight should be the end of the road for the Thunder, and I expect the Mavs to take care of business in grand fashion and cover the -6.5 oddsmakers have dealt for this game.

Pick: Take the Dallas Mavericks (-6.5)