Mavericks At Thunder Final Score 109-86: Mavericks Go Into Long Home Stand In Style
By Brian Gosset
\ Mar 16, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Vince Carter (25) attempts a 3 point shot against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Caron Butler (2) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
DALLAS MAVERICKS at OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER Recap- March 16
The Dallas Mavericks ended their three-game road trip and enter their eight-game home stand in style after five players scored in double figures, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 109-86 in OKC on March 16.
Shawn Marion led the team with 19 points while Vince Carter, Dirk Nowitzki and Jose Calderon added 18, 17 and 16 respectively.
Kevin Durant scored a game-high 30 points, but on 8-of-20 shooting. The Thunder were without Russell Westbrook.
The Mavericks secured their 40th win of the season, nearly their total from last season (41), with 15 games left.
Dallas snapped an 11-game losing streak to the hands of OKC. The Thunder had won 12 of the past 13 meetings, including playoffs, since the 2011 Western Conference Finals.
Dallas sits in the 7th spot in the West, a half game up on the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Portland Trail Blazers and Golden State Warriors face off in the nightcap, with the Mavericks looking directly up to both teams.
Milestone Watch: Carter became the 27th player in NBA history to score 23,000 points. Carter has scored 23,010 points and has a chance to pass hall-of-famers Elgin Baylor and Adrian Dantley this season for 25th all time. He also hit four 3-pointers vs the Thunder and needs two more to tie Rashard Lewis for 7th in all-time 3-pointers.
25 Dantley- 23,177
26 Baylor- 23,149
27 Carter- 23,010
Lights Out: The Mavericks recorded their 26th game of the year with at least 10 made 3-pointers. Dallas shot 13-of-24 (54.2 percent), just two shy from its season-high of 15. Dallas shot 53.3 percent overall while holding OKC to 29-of-79 (36.7 percent) from the field and 9-of-29 (31 percent) from behind the arc. Four players for the Mavericks knocked down at least two treys, with Carter and Calderon each going 4-of-8.
All-Around Balance: Besides the fact that five players scored double figures, the Mavericks downright outplayed the Thunder in all categories. Dallas outrebounded OKC 42-33. The Thunder ranks second in the league with 45.5 boards a game. The Mavericks also had 26 dimes on their 40 field goals while holding the Thunder to 17 dimes on 29 field goals. Dallas also led in steals and fast-break points, 9-5 and 40-22 respectively.
Defense Or Just Bad Offense: The Mavericks held OKC to their worst scoring output in 10 games. Their 86 points was their lowest since scoring 81 vs the Heat on Feb. 20. The Mavericks led 59-48 at halftime. The 48 first-half points were also OKC’s low in a half since scoring 47 vs the Heat.
Home Stand: The Mavericks will return home to the American Airlines Center tomorrow night to face the Boston Celtics, starting a franchise-record eight-game home stand. Dallas will start with four straight, and five overall, against teams currently not in the playoff picture in Boston, Minnesota, Denver and Brooklyn, also playing the Kings. The Mavericks will also host the Thunder, Clippers and Warriors. They’ll finish the home stand on April 1 with Golden State. From there, the Mavs will have seven games left, five on the road, two at home. For more, read my Dallas Mavericks Home Stand Special to get an inside scoop of all eight teams they’re playing, as well as season series and various records for each.