Tip-Off: 7:30 PM CT
Location: American Airlines Center (Dallas, Texas)
Television: FSOK
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @TheThunderGuys for live-tweets during the game
The Thunder got back on track (sort of) with a win against the Orlando Magic in Oklahoma City on Monday. There is no rest in sight, however, as the Thunder now embark on a four-game road trip, which starts in Dallas against the Mavericks tonight. The Thunder has not looked that great since returning from the All-Star Break, but they have an opportunity to do so against a young, struggling Dallas team.
On the other hand, the Mavericks have defeated the Thunder in two of the three matchups so far this season, and if Oklahoma City was to fall tonight and lose the season series, it would be devastating for the Thunder’s playoff position. Dallas is not nearly as talented, but they are on of those teams that can surprise you with their youthful, enthusiastic play, so Oklahoma City needs to be focused from tip-off to the final buzzer in order to pick up what should be an easy win.
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: Dirk Nowitzki
- C: Dwight Powell
Injuries
Thunder
- Andre Roberson (rupture left patellar tendon) is OUT.
Mavericks
- Seth Curry (left leg surgery) is OUT.
- Dorian Finney-Smith (left knee quadriceps tendinitis) is OUT.
- Nerlens Noel (left thumb surgery) is QUESTIONABLE.
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 20-15 against the Mavericks in the regular season (12-6 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.
- Oklahoma City is 1-2 against Dallas this year (1-1 at home, 0-1 on the road).
- The Thunder has won seven of the last 10 matchups with the Mavericks.
- Harrison Barnes tied a career-high 13 rebounds against the Thunder on November 12, 2017, in Oklahoma City.
Game Notes
- Oklahoma City most is 2-1 since returning from the All-Star Break, while Dallas is 1-2.
- Oklahoma City is 5-5 in the last 10 games, while Dallas is 3-7.
- Oklahoma City is 14-17 on the road, while Dallas is 12-19 at home.
- Oklahoma City is 19-18 against the Western Conference, while Dallas is 10-30.
- Oklahoma City is 19-18 in games coming off of one day of rest, while Dallas is 11-25 in the same situation.
- Raymond Felton played 109 games for the Mavericks over the course of the 2014-16 seasons.
Be sure to check out this week’s episode of “Thunder Things with the Thunder Guys.”
Article written by Zack Low. Follow @TheThunderGuys on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook.