The Dallas Mavericks travel to Oklahoma City tonight to face an unstoppable Thunder team on a 13-game winning streak. Oklahoma City enters as the best-record team in the NBA at 21-1, while Dallas looks to build on their first winning streak of the season. The matchup pits two very different storylines against each other.
🔥 Quick Facts
Thunder’s dominance: Oklahoma City is 21-1 to start the season, their best start since Golden State’s 24-0 opening in 2015-16.
Streaking Thunder: The Thunder have won 13 straight games, with their last four victories coming by an average of just 8 points.
Mavericks’ resurgence: Dallas is 8-15 but has won three consecutive games, with rookie Cooper Flagg averaging 27.0 points on 59.3% shooting during the streak.
Game details: Friday, December 5, 9:30 PM ET at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, broadcast on Prime Video.
Thunder’s Historic Run Puts Championship Legacy on Full Display
Oklahoma City’s 21-1 start represents one of the most dominant stretches in NBA history. The Thunder won their first NBA title last season and show no signs of slowing down this year.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues his MVP-caliber play, averaging between 32.8 and 35.6 points per game recently. His ability to score efficiently while barely turning the ball over sets Oklahoma City apart from every other team in the league.
The Thunder’s last four wins have been much closer than their first nine, signaling their ability to compete in tight contests. This development could prove crucial as the season progresses.
Mavericks’ Young Core Emerges at Critical Moment
Dallas arrives in Oklahoma City riding momentum after establishing their first winning streak of the season. The Mavericks faced adversity early, sitting at 8-15, but recent performances suggest a team turning a corner.
Cooper Flagg, just 18 years old, became the youngest player in NBA history to score 20-plus points in three consecutive games during this streak. His development under Coach Jason Kidd offers hope for the franchise’s future direction.
Undrafted point guard Ryan Nembhard has emerged as a game-changer, posting 43 points and 23 assists with only one turnover across Dallas’ last two victories. His ultra-confident play has sparked the offense significantly.
Category
Thunder
Mavericks
Record
21-1
8-15
Win Streak
13 games
3 games
Key Scorer
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32-36 PPG)
Cooper Flagg (27.0 PPG)
Injury Notes
Isaiah Hartenstein out (4th straight)
Daniel Gafford ankle injury, Dereck Lively II out (6 games)
Anthony Davis Returns, Providing Critical Depth
Dallas got major reinforcements when Anthony Davis returned after missing 14 games with a left calf strain. His presence opens defensive lanes for Flagg and significantly improves Dallas’ front court.
Coach Kidd emphasized Davis’ importance to the team’s recent success. The versatile big man’s ability to stretch the floor and defend multiple positions creates opportunities for younger players to attack paint overlaps.
Even with his return, matching Oklahoma City’s firepower remains a monumental challenge on the road.
Matchup Analysis: Can Dallas Keep the Defensive Intensity?
Thunder’s earlier 101-94 victory over Dallas on October 27 provides context, though the Mavericks have changed significantly since then. Flagg scored just 2 points on 1-of-9 shooting in that contest.
Oklahoma City’s ability to consistently win close games lately suggests they’ve developed championship-level resolve. Their 13-game winning streak features multiple clutch performances against quality opponents.
Dallas must maintain defensive discipline against SGA while relying on Nembhard to generate consistent offensive rhythm. The Mavericks’ three-game streak demonstrates they can play complete basketball on both ends.
What Will It Take for Dallas to Pull Off the Major Upset?
The Mavericks face a 15.5-point spread disadvantage, with most sportsbooks giving Oklahoma City roughly 69% probability to win. Yet Dallas’ recent form suggests they’re capable of competing.
For Dallas to upset the favored Thunder, they’ll need exceptional shooting nights from Flagg and Nembhard while keeping SGA in check defensively. Playoff-level intensity on every possession could make this game competitive into the final minutes.
Oklahoma City’s perfect home record at 10-0 at Paycom Center raises the difficulty level significantly. The Thunder rarely lose at home and rarely disappoint when healthy.
Sources
NBA.com – Official game preview and team statistics
ESPN – Box scores and injury updates for both teams
Oklahoma City Thunder Wire – Thunder analysis and roster updates
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.