Thunder at Mavericks
THE STORY:
The Oklahoma City Thunder, one of two undefeated teams in the league,
travels to meet Dallas on Monday. The Mavericks have lost four of five
to start defense of their NBA title. The teams played one of the best
games of the season Thursday in Oklahoma City when Kevin Durant's
3-pointer at the buzzer gave the Thunder a 104-102 victory. Vince
Carter's 3-pointer with 1.4 seconds remaining had given Dallas a
one-point lead. The Mavericks overcame a five-point deficit with 46
seconds left, but Durant's clutch shot sent them to a crushing defeat.
Dallas rebounded in its next game for a 99-86 win over Toronto, but was
routed 99-82 in Minnesota on Sunday. The Mavericks shot 37 percent form
the field and were outrebounded 54-35. "We have to get better and keep
moving," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FS Oklahoma (Oklahoma City), FS Southwest (Dallas)
ABOUT THE THUNDER (5-0):
While Oklahoma City has yet to lose, three of its wins have been by a
total of nine points. So either the Thunder are masters at winning close
games or their good fortune is about to run out. Oklahoma City built a
big lead early Saturday against Phoenix and cruised to a 107-97 victory.
Kevin Durant scored 12 points in 26 minutes, well below his 27.4
average. Russell Westbrook had his best game of the season with 18
points and hit 8-of-14 from the field.
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (1-4):
It's too early to panic, but Dallas barely resembles the team that won
the championship last season. Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks with 20
points Sunday, but he didn't get enough help from his teammates. Delonte
West, a new addition to the starting lineup, added 13 points, but the
other starters - Jason Kidd, Brendan Haywood and Shawn Marion - combined
to score 18 points. The Mavericks also committed 17 turnovers.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The last five meetings have been decided by seven points or less.
2. Kidd and Jason Terry combined to score 13 points and hit 5-of-16 shots from the field Sunday.
3. The Thunder have held each of their first five opponents to less than 45 percent shooting from the field.