The Smoking Cuban
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Dallas Mavericks Host OKC Thunder in Dallas

By Evan Siegel

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 23: Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 23, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 23: Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 23, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Mavs are coming off a win against the Indiana Pacers, and are set to take on the big three of the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight.

The Dallas Mavericks bizarre season continues tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder come into the game as the seventh seed in the Western Conference. They currently sit two games ahead of the eighth place Denver Nuggets.

The team has gotten significant scrutiny this season because of their underachievement despite courting three superstars to their team. However, Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony will be as difficult a team to beat as any in the current Western Conference come playoff time.

The Mavs meanwhile, sit at twelfth in the conference, fourteen games out of the last playoff spot. The team has gotten encouraging signs from Dennis Smith Jr., Maxi Kleber, and Yogi Ferrell so far this season as they try to position themselves for the NBA lottery this offseason.

With the team’s long-anticipated interest in Aaron Gordon expected to lead to an aggressive contract offer this summer, the Mavs are likely to continue putting their youngsters on the court, while giving veterans Wesley Matthews, Dirk Nowitzki, and J.J. Barea some extra time to rest on the bench.

PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 31: Dirk Nowitzki #41, Harrison Barnes #40, and Wesley Matthews #23 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Phoenix Suns on January 31, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 31: Dirk Nowitzki #41, Harrison Barnes #40, and Wesley Matthews #23 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Phoenix Suns on January 31, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Mavs can take this game as another chance to evaluate what sort of players they want to put next to Dennis Smith Jr. and Harrison Barnes in the future. Playing a team with three All-Star level players who have represented their country in international play at one point in their careers is a chance to get as much experience for the younger assets as possible against top- notch play.

As the Mavs continue to tumble towards the top of the NBA draft, the organization needs to be looking at what players will give them the necessary improvements that are so desperately needed in Dallas. Fortunately for the Mavs, Rick Carlisle is leading the way and will take his guys to battle tonight at the American Airlines Center.

Next: Who Would the Dallas Mavericks Trade Their 2018 First Round Pick For?

The game will tip-off at 7:30 central time. Check back in with us here at The Smoking Cuban after the game for a recap of how the Mavs fared against OKC. Let’s go Mavs!

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