DALLAS, TEXAS — A home 106-98 victory for the Dallas Mavericks over the Oklahoma City Thunder, the current leaders atop the Western Conference with a 34-7 record, snapped a three-game losing streak for a now 22-20 record halfway through the NBA regular season.
It was Oklahoma City’s second game within 24 hours, unable to win a second-straight after beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 134-114 on Thursday.
Both teams were without key players on the court—no Luka Dončić or Dereck Lively II for the Mavericks, and no Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, an MVP candidate for the Thunder. Kyrie Irving was questionable to play for Dallas with a back injury, but ended up leading all scorers with 25 points. Gilgeous-Alexander put up 40 points and 8 assists his last time out, but missed his first game of the season due to a wrist injury.
Not only did Dallas get on the board first with a 3-pointer from P.J. Washington Jr., but also the next seven points. The 10-point run forced Oklahoma City to take a timeout early in the 1st quarter.
Coming out of it, the Thunder scored nine-straight to make it a one point game. While they got in front at the end of the first quarter, the Mavericks ended the half leading 63-43 and sent the Thunder into the locker room at a 20-point deficit.
OKC erased it within eight minutes, but ultimately could not complete the comeback.
Dallas will head out to Charlotte to play the Hornets next Monday, Jan. 20, before returning to the American Airlines Center to host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
