Mavericks 100, Thunder 87
Dirk Nowitzki scored 26 points and the host Dallas Mavericks defeated Oklahoma City 100-87 on Monday night, handing the Thunder their first loss of the season.
Dallas, the defending NBA champions, got a measure of revenge for a crushing two-point loss at Oklahoma City on Thursday night when Kevin Durant hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Durant scored 27 points Monday, but the Mavericks (2-4) used their most balanced attack of the season. Dallas had five scorers in double figures, including 17 points by Shawn Marion and 15 by Jason Terry.
Russell Westbrook scored 18 points and James Harden added 16 for Oklahoma City (5-1).
Dallas led 81-65 early in the fourth quarter before the Thunder cut the lead to 89-81 with 3:58 remaining. Nowitzki hit a jumper and two free throws and Marion scored five points, including his first 3-pointer of the season, to boost the lead to 96-82.
Oklahoma City starting guard Thabo Sefolosha left the game in the first quarter with a leg injury and was scoreless in nine minutes. Guard Daequan Cook didn't play because of the flu.