Stephen Nover's NBA Western Conference Total of Month
(NBA) Dallas vs. Oklahoma City,
Total: 212.50 | -110.00 Over
Result: Loss
This series has a definite Zig-Zag feel to it. That includes the total, too. The past two games have gone Under. Now we have the lowest total of the series posted for this Game 5.

I can understand the oddsmaker's need to lower the total following Oklahoma City's, 100-96, road victory on Monday to even the series at 2-2. But it is set too low.

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving combined to shoot just 10-for-31 from the field in that game and the Mavericks were only 12-for-23 from the foul line. Oklahoma City does not have a top-10 defense.

I realize Doncic is playing at less than 100 percent and Dallas is not a good free throwing shooting team. But those numbers and shooting percentages from Doncic and Irving are going way up in this game. The Mavericks were the seventh-highest scoring team in the league at 117.9 points this past season.

The Thunder ranked third in scoring and field goal percentage. They also were No. 1 in 3-point shooting percentage. Oklahoma City has averaged 117 points in its last three home playoff games.