OKC Thunder Comeback Fails, Suffers Home Defeat to Dallas

When the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks clash, it’s usually destined to be a competitive game. This time was no different as the Mavericks walked away with a 121-115 win, snapping OKC’s 12-game home streak.

Dallas came into this game as one of the most beaten teams in the league. Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, Dereck Lively II, Jaden Hardy, Dante Exum and Dwight Powell all dealt with injuries. Star guard Luka Doncic is also in the middle of a left calf strain.

Like most of the games between Dallas and OKC, neither team pulled away in the first quarter. Spencer Dinwiddie led the scoring in the first quarter for Dallas with 10 points, as did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for Oklahoma City.

OKC’s defensive intensity was, as usual, ramped up and made life difficult for Dallas. The Thunder forced eight turnovers in the first quarter and 20 by game’s end. At this point in the season, OKC’s defensive pressure isn’t a surprise to its opponents. That said, it’s still a challenge.

Forward Jaylin Williams turned in an impressive performance as the big starter for OKC. He finished the night with 12 points, all of which came in the first half. His first quarter performance was even better, scoring nine of those points in that time frame.

At about the same time, a three from Cason Wallace gave OKC its biggest lead of the game, going ahead 54-45. They ended the half leading 62-60 after late triples from Kyrie Irving and PJ Washington.

Second-year Mavericks forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper stood out in the first half and the entire game, finishing the half with 13 and 14 as time expired. This was his highest scoring result of the season and one of the best performances of his young career.

Dallas jumped ahead to start the third quarter with Washington scoring five and center Daniel Gafford scoring four. Irving also hit a contested triple over Lu Dort to extend the early lead and jump ahead 74-68.

About halfway through the quarter, Dort was charged with a flagrant two-foul for hitting Gafford in the groin area. At the same time, Jalen Williams was charged with a technical foul that delivered free three points to the Mavericks. Two more free throws were added to the total after a Wallace foul, putting Dallas ahead 79-68. Dort was also kicked out during that sequence.

Dallas’ free throw efficiency was a catalyst in the lead they held for most of the third quarter. Turn after turn down the court, the Mavericks would draw contact and earn the foul call. They also took advantage of the high number of trials. Dallas went 29-for-36 on the night and OKC 16-for-22, a team that usually does well getting to the free throw line.

Oklahoma City’s sloppiness at the end of the third quarter kept them in a hole and trailing 91-83 at the end. An uphill battle lay ahead for the Thunder, who were looking to the fourth.

The defensive game plan the Mavericks threw at Gilgeous-Alexander all night worked to perfection. He had just 15 points on 6-for-16 shooting entering the fourth quarter after seeing double teams and physical defense all night. That didn’t change one bit heading into the fourth quarter.

It took a while to find some momentum, but a Gilgeous-Alexander layup and Jalen Williams three got the Thunder within five points. On the following defensive possession, Alex Caruso made his presence felt after forcing a turnover and a fumble. That run sparked some much-needed energy in the Thunder.

When Gilgeous-Alexander found life difficult, Williams took on the leading role as scorer. He finished with 33 points on 11-for-19 shooting, one of his best games in his last few performances.

For Dallas, it was Dinwiddie and Irving who led the way. Dinwiddie finished with 28 points on 11-for-14 shooting and Irving with 24 on 8-for-17. More than anything, to no one’s surprise, Irving hit some clutch shots in the fourth quarter and continued to draw fouls.

A late attempt at a comeback by OKC didn’t work and the Thunder would end up losing to their budding rival.

The Oklahoma City Thunder next play the Portland Trailblazers at 5:00 PM CT on Sunday, January 26th.

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