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| (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) |
Thunder's previous game: The Thunder went to battle with the Cavaliers in Cleveland last Saturday, but were not able to counter Cleveland's weapon of mass destruction in Kyrie Iriving. Cleveland and Oklahoma City stayed neck-and-neck throughout all four quarters, but in the final moments of the fourth - Kyrie Irving took complete control and closed out the Thunder. He scored 9 of Cleveland's last 11 points, and hit the dagger with a 12 foot step back-bank shot to give the Cavs the 115-110 lead and win the game.
Last meeting with Dallas: The last time these two teams met was just like every game - always close and down the wire, whether it be a last second shot or an over-time, these teams always match up well. The Thunder won their last match up in an over-time thriller and by a spectacular performance by all the Thunder players, especially Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
The two Thunder stars combined for a total of 83 points and 18 rebounds in the contest, 52 of which came from Kevin Durant who set a new career-high by one point. Oklahoma City gave up a 9 point lead in the fourth, where they were out scored 33-24, and allowed the Mavericks to force over-time. That's all they would force though, as Kevin Durant does what he usually does in clutch situations - he took over.
He scored 9 of the Thunder's 12 OT points, the most important of which came from a 12 foot jump shot in the final seconds of the game to give the Thunder a 2 point lead and to give Kevin Durant a new career-high. The Mavericks would miss their next shot, foul Westbrook who would make 1/2 free throws and the Thunder would go on the win 117-114.
The Mavericks won their last game in Phoenix 109-99 after 6 Dallas players scored in double-figures, something that they will have to do again against the Thunder tonight with their franchise player Dirk Nowitzki in and out of the line up with injuries. The Matrix aka Shawn Marion had a 14 point 11 board game against the Suns, and has been a big factor in the Mavericks staying a float in the Western Conference.
Dallas is one of the more efficient teams in the league coming into tonight's game, averaging 45% from the floor and 36% from beyond the arc. They are also one of the best rebounding teams in the league - ranking 4th in defensive rebounds at 32.7 a game, but Oklahoma city as shown success in the past on the offensive boards against the Mavericks - averaging 17.5 boards a game in the season series so far.
Thunder Essentials:
Perimeter Defense - The Mavericks are one of the best shooting teams in the league with players like Darren Collison, Vince Carter and Chris Kaman. Oklahoma City has to really press the opposing player and run them off open 3's. If they can avoid getting sucked into Darren Collison and Sean Marion's inside game, and apply pressure on the perimter, they will have a easier time getting stops.
Rebounding - OKC needs to rebound the ball on both sides of the floor and capitalize on second chance points and the fast break. The Mavericks are an older team and the Thunder have shown success running the floor against the Mavericks in the past.
Points in the Paint - With Nowitzki out the Mavericks are going to be lacking a lot of size in the post. It will be important for Oklahoma City to post up whenever they get mismatches in the post and to score efficiently at the same time. Kevin Durant went 21-21 from the free throw line last time these two teams met, and he needs to post the ball up and draw fouls tonight in order to get easy points.
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