OKC Thunder Can Not Overcome Red-Hot Mavericks Offense

The Oklahoma City Thunder traveled to take on the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday afternoon. Trying to rebound from their Tuesday loss against Utah, the Thunder came out flat on the road after three days off.

Luka Doncic and the Mavs blazed the nets from beyond the arc, going on a 12-2 run, before building a 20-7 lead at the 7:20 mark in the opening frame. Mark Daigneault called a timeout and shook up the lineup.

The Thunder, who had more fouls than made shots at that point, put in Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe, and Kenrich Williams to flank Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.

Doncic did not slow down. He finished the first frame with 17 points in the first 12 minutes, missing just one shot all frame, to put Dallas up by 17 at the end of the opening period.

Dallas nearly posted 50 points (47) in the first quarter as newly acquired Daniel Gatford chipped in eight off the bench for the home team.

Oklahoma City's offense sputtered in the early going, laboring their way to 30 points on 41 percent shooting from the floor. Gilgeous-Alexander was held to eight points in the first quarter, and the Bricktown boys were in danger of letting a game slip away early.

As things were bleak, the Thunder went on a 10-0 run to pull within 12 to start the second quarter. Ousmane Dieng hit a timely triple as Cason Wallace got loose for seven points off the pine by the 10:19 mark in the second quarter.

Despite a Mavericks counterpunch, the Thunder finished off the second frame, pulling within nine at intermission. Jalen Williams and Wallace each ended the first half with nine, while Gilgeous-Alexander (14) and Chet Holmgren (10) reached double figures. The Thunder 17-7 run to claw back into this game in the second frame and put themselves within striking distance to open up the third quarter.

After an array of missed 3-point attempts, the Mavs rebuilt their 17-point lead thanks to a 14-5 run to open the third quarter.

The Thunder were a flaming star heading into the fourth, down 21 points and with no signs of sustained life on either end. The Mavericks put the finishing touches on this blowout win via a 27-9 run in the fourth.

Oklahoma City takes another afternoon game on the chin., falling to Dallas 146-111. This was a poor performance by the Thunder's offense, and their defense could not contain a high-powered Mavericks offense, which poured in tough shots.

Josh Giddey clanged six triples and hurt the Thunder's offensive spacing, while Gilgeous-Alexander was held in check by his standards, only posting 25 points on 16 shots.

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