NBA: Dallas short favorites to continue mastery

Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder have made big strides this season after posting one of the worst records in the NBA in 2008-09. However, in their last two games, they showed that they still have a ways to go. Durant and the Thunder will try to contain Dirk Nowitzki, who had two 40-point performances against them last season, when they host the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night. Dallas is a 1-point favorite and backed by nearly 90% of the bettors at Sportsbook.com.

Oklahoma City (12-11, 14-9 ATS) had the third-worst record in the Western Conference last season at 23-59, but is more than halfway to surpassing its win total of '08-'09.

Durant has sparked the surprising start, averaging 28.5 points to place among the NBA leaders. He scored at least 25 in the last nine games - the longest active streak in the league - and recorded two double-doubles in the last three games.

Despite Durant's progress, his team still struggles against the NBA's elite. Its last three losses - to Boston, Cleveland and Denver - came by an average of 13.3 points, with the Thunder averaging fewer than 90 points in those games.

Oklahoma City lost 102-93 to the Nuggets on Monday after falling 102-89 to Cleveland the day before. Durant scored 32 points and added 10 rebounds against Denver, but the Thunder shot 39.2 percent and were outscored 30-17 in the second quarter. Forward Jeff Green, who came in averaging 15.0 points, was held to eight. Sports bettors can at least take heart as the Thunder is 9-1 ATS after one or more consecutive losses this season.

The Thunder's tough stretch continues Wednesday night against Dallas (18-7, 13-12 ATS), and they take on Detroit, Houston, the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix in the next four games.

Oklahoma City faces a major challenge in defending Nowitzki, who averaged 36.8 points in his last four contests versus the Thunder. He had 46-point and 41-point games against them last season.

The Thunder have lost 15 of 17 to the Mavericks (6-9-2 ATS) and dropped two of three last season. Durant missed the only win because of a sprained ankle and was limited to less than eight minutes in another matchup because of the same injury. Durant has averaged 14.0 points and 37.5 percent shooting in six career games versus Dallas. Astute bettors note OKC/Sea has covered five in a row over the Mavs.

The Mavericks won their fourth straight Monday, 94-90 over New Orleans despite a season-low 10 points from Nowitzki, who is averaging 26.6. The Hornets constantly double- and triple-teamed the Mavericks star - a defensive approach that the Thunder may have noticed.

That led to one of his teammates having his best game of the season. J.J. Barea scored a season-high 23 points on 10-of-13 shooting, which helped Dallas overcome a season-high 23 turnovers.

Despite winning eight of last 11, Dallas is just 4-7 ATS, being involved in a number of close games. On the subject of close, the Mavericks are two-point road favorites with a total of 194. The Mavs are 4-15 ATS after three or more consecutive wins, however are 20-9 ATS in road games first half of the season since last year. Oklahoma City is 3-7 ATS as home underdog and they have only covered one game in last five if opposing team has a winning road record.

Odds makers like those at Sportsbook.com. have made adjustments to the total. These teams have played Under in five of the last six meetings and the current figure is the lowest in last 11 confrontations. Oklahoma City is 14-4 UNDER when playing against a team with a 70 percent or higher win percentage since relocating to Oklahoma. Dallas on the other hand is 13-4 OVER as a favorite of 4.5-points or less.