Mavs LIVE Updates: - FINAL Dallas 104 vs. Oklahoma City 102
It seems the Dallas Mavericks are finding their stride at the perfect time of the season. In their second consecutive game with the trio of Luka Doncic, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jalen Brunson in the lineup, the Mavericks face another lottery-bound opponent in the Oklahoma City Thunder at the American Airlines Center.
Currently, four losses out behind the four-seed Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas continues its pursuit of home-court advantage. In light of the playoff-level opponents coming up on the schedule, the Mavs would be wise to take care of business against the lowly Thunder tonight.
The last meeting vs. the Thunder ended in a feel-good 103-84 victory for Dallas on December 12, 2021. Mavericks' center Moses Brown scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds vs. his former team. Perhaps Brown's tenacious play will spread to others, especially with the Mavericks healthy for this matchup.
Although the Thunder doesn't have a record of a playoff contender, they have young players who pose a threat for the Mavericks. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey make up a young but feisty backcourt tandem.
Fortunately for Dallas, the OKC holds a 29th ranked offensive rating, making sense of their 14-28 record. The Luka Doncic era hasn't been kind to the Thunder. In the past 10 contests, Dallas dominates the matchup with a 9-2 record over the rebuilding Thunder.
Disposing of the lesser-talented teams will only increase the Mavericks' chances of catching up with the red-hot Grizzlies in the West standings. Although the Thunder aren't a threat for the playoffs, the Mavericks have been known to play down to their competition in the previous years.
Will Dallas take care of business tonight? Follow DallasBasketball.com for live updates throughout the game.
Starting Lineups
Mavericks: Luka Doncic, Jalen Brunson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Maxi Kleber, Kristaps Porzingis
Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Luguentz Dort, Darius Bazley, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
First Quarter (6:06) Mavs 16, Thunder 14
Kristaps Porzingis looks ready to go with seven points in the first six minutes of game time. Meanwhile, the Thunder are getting shooting production from an unlikely source. Luguentz Dort already has two three-point baskets.
End of First Quarter: Mavs 33, Thunder 24
Dallas has a rhythm one quarter into the contest, with four players scoring more than five points. Porzingis, struggling this year from the three-point line, went 1-2 from distance. On the other end of the ball, Doncic dominated with three blocks in the first quarter - talk about a showstopper.
Second Quarter (8:01) Mavs 39, Thunder 32
The Mavericks' stingy defense continues to bother the Thunder. Dallas recorded two steals in the first few minutes of the second period. Transition baskets rained on the Thunder's head as Josh Green and Tim Hardaway Jr. converted with athletic finishes.
Halftime: Mavs 53, Thunder 42
Dallas found itself in a rut offensively, shooting sub-40 percent for most of the second quarter. Thankfully, the defense came to play, as it has for most of the season. The Thunder couldn't capitalize on the Mavericks' dry spell as Gilgeous-Alexander didn't record a field goal attempt in the second period. Dallas closed the first half with a 12-2 run.
Third Quarter (8:21) Mavs 59, Thunder 48
Both offenses failed to score on three consecutive possessions, culminating in a Porzingis dunk following a block on the other end.
End of Third Quarter: Mavs 77, Thunder 72
Despite Doncic's subpar shooting performance, the Dallas Mavericks barely held onto the lead. With a few notable plays, Dorian Finney-Smith came to the rescue; he heads into the final period with 15 points. Maxi Kleber left the game earlier in the quarter due to knee soreness following an alley-oop finish.
Fourth Quarter (7:44) Mavs 87, Thunder 80
Dallas struck the Thunder with 67-percent shooting from the field, including a Hardaway Jr, three-point basket. Doncic is on triple-double watch with just one rebound shy.
Final Mavs 104, Thunder 102
Despite trailing for the majority of the contest, the Thunder's persistence provided them a puncher's chance. Gilgeous-Alexander's 34-point performance made the Mavericks sweat. The Mavericks escaped an agonizing loss despite three missed free throws in the game's final minute. Hardaway Jr. stole the ball to clinch the victory.
Aside from his ice-cold 4-17 field goal shooting, Doncic contributed to the victory by recording his 40th career regular season triple-double.
