Shawn Marion’s hook shot and 21 first half points weren’t enough for the short-handed Dallas Mavericks to drub the Oklahoma City Thunder. Marion finished with a season-high 25 points in the 99-95 loss to Kevin Durant and the top-shooting Thunder in Dallas. Durant carried Oklahoma City, scoring 28 points and adding three assists in the American Airlines Center win. Scott Brooks’ Thunder improved to 24-13 on the season following Thursday night’s road win.
Dallas played without All-Star Dirk Nowitzki for the sixth straight game, but clung to a 55-51 edge at the half. Jason Terry pocketed 19 points, while Tyson Chandler and DeShawn Stevenson contributed 14 a piece for the Mavs. Chandler was a menace on the boards, racking up 18 rebounds. Marion had 12 first quarter points to lead the charge but the Thunder roared back to trim the deficit after in the second half. The Mavericks endured poor shooting in the third quarter as the Thunder took a three point lead heading into the final frame. Cold shooting Dallas scored only 40 second half points and went just 5-for-16 in the third quarter. Jeff Green scored 16 points for the visitors to go along with nine rebounds. Russell Westbrook also had nine assists in the win and shot 5-of-6 from the charity stripe. Westbrook finished with 15 points as the Thunder snapped a two game losing skid and rolled past depleted Dallas.
The Mavericks’ defense had trouble with the Thunder’s inside game during the final quarter. Jason Kidd was held without a point in 40 minutes on the hardwood. Kidd dished out seven assists and added 10 rebounds but the Thunder quickly pulled in front late in the game. Stevenson’s long trey in the final minute gave Oklahoma City a five point lead and Durant went to the line with half a minute remaining in the game. Durant banked both shots to account for the final margin and give the Thunder their first win over Rick Carlisle’s Mavs in three tries this season. Oklahoma City is just one-half a game behind Utah in the Northwest division. Dallas is also in second place, three back of the conference leading Spurs. The Mavs are just 2-4 in Nowitzki’s absence.
Parting Points: Song for Friday- “The Storm is Over Now” by R. Kelly
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