Mavericks vs. Thunder prediction and odds for NBA Summer League

The Thunder look to start a title campaign in Las Vegas in the 2023 Summer League circuit against the Dallas Mavericks.

OKC is the betting favorite around 2022 No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren as the team enters its first game in Las Vegas against the Mavericks, who have two first round picks at its disposal in Dereck Lively and Olivier Maxence-Prosper as well as bucket getting guard Jaden Hardy.

Will Dallas hang tough as underdogs, or is this the start of a dominant run from an NBA-rotation laden roster like the Thunder?

Here are the odds and our best bet:

Spread:

Moneyline:

Total: 188.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

While the Thunder have Holmgren patrolling the paint, the pace to OKC's games in Utah have been fast, totaling 180 twice and 191. That makes me bullish that the Mavericks, with Hardy handling the rock, can push the tempo once again and make this a high scoring game.

Hardy played for the G-League Ignite, a similar game style to Summer League, and averaged 17 points per game as an 18-year-old, and then posted nearly 29 points per game in several games in the G-League last season with the Mavericks G-League affiliate.

OKC has had little issue scoring in Salt Lake City with the likes of Tre Mann and Ousmane Dieng taking turns pouring 20-plus points, and Dallas is going to have some growing pains as Likely finds his footing in an NBA setting before becoming the rim protector Dallas hopes to be after acquiring him in the lottery this past NBA Draft.

I'll go over on Saturday afternoon.