Tip-Off: 6 PM CT
Location: American Airlines Center (Dallas, TX)
Television: FSOK
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @TheThunderGuys for live-tweets during the game
The Oklahoma City Thunder is coming off of a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks due to perhaps the most controversial officiating gaffe of the NBA season so far. On a last second play, Giannis Antetokounmpo clearly stepped out of bounds before scoring the game-winning basket, but it was not whistled as such, so it could not be replayed by rule. The rule is to be discussed in the future, but for now, that means nothing for Thunder fans, so it must simply be left alone.
Looking ahead to tonight’s matchup with the Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City wants to finish an impressive December run and head into the New Year with a win. The Mavericks are currently on a three-game win streak, which is tied for the longest-active streak in the league, and the Thunder will have to make some adjustments to deal with the absences of Paul George and Andre Roberson due to injuries.
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Russell Westbrook
- SG: Josh Huestis
- SF: Paul George
- PF: Carmelo Anthony
- C: Steven Adams
Mavericks
- PG: Dennis Smith, Jr.
- SG: Wesley Matthews
- SF: Harrison Barnes
- PF: Maxi Kleber
- C: Dirk Nowitzki
Injuries
Thunder
- Andre Roberson (left patellar tendonitis) is OUT.
Mavericks
- Seth Curry (stress reaction, left tibia) is OUT.
- Josh McRoberts (lower extremity injury) is OUT.
- Dorian Finney-Smith (left knee quadriceps tendinitis) is OUT.
- Nerlens Noel (left thumb surgery) is OUT.
Head-to-Head
- Oklahoma City is 1-1 against Dallas this year.
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 20-14 against the Mavericks in the regular season (12-5 at home, 8-9 on the road) and 9-5 in the playoffs (4-3 at home, 5-2 on the road).
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder has won the season series against the Mavericks four times, lost four times, and tied once.
Game Notes
- Oklahoma City has won 12 of their last 16, while Dallas is on a three-game winning streak, which is tied for the longest active streak in the NBA.
- Oklahoma City is 8-2 in the last 10 games, while Dallas is 5-5.
- Oklahoma City is 14-5 at home, while Dallas is 4-14 on the road.
- Oklahoma City is 11-9 against the Western Conference, while Dallas is 7-16.
- Oklahoma City is 13-10 in games where there is one day of rest, while Dallas is 6-17.
Article written by Zack Low. Follow @TheThunderGuys on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook.