OKC Thunder Manhandle Mavericks in Final Game of the Regular Season
The Oklahoma City Thunder manhandled the shorthanded Dallas Mavericks in a blowout victory to give the Thunder 57 wins on the year.
The Oklahoma City Thunder (57-25) battled the Dallas Mavericks (50-32) in game 82 of the regular season. With the Mavericks seeding already locked up, their injury report included nine players headlined by stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. The only mainstay of Dallas' rotation that participated in this one was swingman Tim Hardaway Jr.
The OKC Thunder on the other hand came into Game 82 able to move up the table as high as the top seed or slide as far back as the third seed in the Western Conference. This led to Mark Daigneault issuing a clean injury report with everyone suited up and ready for action.
As Chet Holmgren made his 82nd start of the season, he got the Thunder off on the right foot turning in eight points, four rebounds and a block in just seven minutes of action. The Gonzaga product finished with 13 points, nine rebounds and a block in just 12 minutes of work.
The Thunder got off to a 17-4 run and never looked back in their quest for the Western Conference's top seed. Despite the Mavs trimming the lead to seven, the Thunder was able to keep them at an arm's length for 48 minutes.
Oklahoma City was able to rest their starters for the second half as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander turned in 15 points, a rebound and six assists while Josh Giddey stuffed the stat sheet to the tune of eight points, six rebounds and eight assists.
Cason Wallace had a massive game off the bench for the Oklahoma City Thunder one of five players to crack double-figures off the pine.
Up next, the Oklahoma City Thunder will await the winner of the play-in tournament to begin their first-round playoff series in the Paycom Center on Sunday, April 21.
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