The Oklahoma City Thunder (33-12) defeated the Dallas Mavericks (25-20) 109-106, on Friday night at American Airlines Center in Dallas.
The Thunder managed to extend their win steak to seven games despite having lost their previous three games in Dallas. Oklahoma City was up by as many as 17 in the fourth quarter but the Mavericks battled back to bring themselves within one, with one minute remaining. Kevin Durant responded with a clutch jumper to put the Thunder up by three. The Mavs missed their next shot but an offensive foul called on Serge Ibaka gave them a second chance to go for the tie. They ended up getting three attempts from long range, thanks to some offensive rebounding but missed all three.
Oklahoma had six players score in double digits, three of them off the bench. Kevin Durant led the way in scoring, with 24 points (10-21 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven assists, three rebounds and two blocked shots, in 38 minutes. Russell Westbrook was busy filling the stat sheet, as he finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, two steals and one block, in 34 minutes. Enes Kanter tallied 16 points (7-10 FG) and nine rebounds, in 24 minutes off the bench. The Thunder were missing Steven Adams, who sat out with a sore elbow.
The Mavericks had their two-game win streak halted by this loss. Chandler Parsons, who was big in those previous two games, finished with a team-high 26 points (8-16 FG. 4-6 3Pt, 6-6 FT), along with five rebounds and three assists, in 36 minutes. Deron Williams added 22 points (9-16 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five assists, two rebounds and two steals, in 36 minutes. Dirk Nowitzki returned to the line up after missing a game with a sore knee and tallied 14 points (6-15 FG, 2-8 3Pt), two rebounds, two blocked shots, one assist and one steal, in 29 minutes.
The Mavericks will begin a three-game road trip in Houston on Sunday.
The Thunder will enter the second game of their current four-game road trip when they face the Nets on Sunday.
