P.J. Washington is doing it all for the Mavericks with Luka Doncic sidelined.
Normally a fourth or fifth option for Dallas, Washington has stepped up his game with the perennial MVP candidate hurt for most of this season.
In 21 games with Doncic in street clothes, Washington is averaging 16.4 points and 8.9 rebounds in 33.3 minutes per game – all of which would be career highs for the seventh-year veteran.
He showed out during the Mavericks’ Wednesday night loss to the Timberwolves, scoring 30 points on 54.5 percent shooting with seven rebounds.
Oddsmakers, apparently, haven’t quite taken notice of Washington’s production with Doncic out.
On Thursday night against the Thunder, the 6-foot-7 power forward’s points + rebounds prop at bet365 is sitting at just 21.5 (-125).
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mavericks | +13 (-110) | +525 | o222 (-110) |
| Thunder | -13 (-110) | -750 | u222 (-110) |
He’s hit the Over on that number in 15 of 21 contests without Doncic on the floor, falling short by only a basket in two of those six games he went Under.
Even on a back-to-back, Washington should see big minutes against Oklahoma City’s wing-heavy lineup.
It’ll be the third time the Mavericks and Thunder matchup this season, and Washington has played well in both games, averaging 21.5 points and 12 rebounds.
Outside of Doncic, Dallas is injury-riddled throughout their lineup as well.
Dereck Lively II and Dante Exum have already been ruled out, while there are questions about Naji Marshall, Klay Thompson, Dwight Powell and Jaden Hardy’s status as of this writing.
Washington will be depended on once again in Oklahoma City.
The play: P.J. Washington Over 21.5 points + rebounds (-125, bet365)
Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.