Thunder Snap Two Game Skid, Sweep Season Series With Mavs

OKC Thunder 116 — Dallas Mavs 103

OKC’s Thunder snapped their two game post All-Star Game swoon and avoided their second three game losing streak of the season by beating the Mavs in Dallas by a score of 116-103. The win gives the Thunder a four game series sweep of Dallas and somewhat washes away the bad taste of Sunday’s home loss to Cleveland.

As usual, OKC was led by Kevin Durant and Westbrook who both scored 24 points, but in this game it was more of a case of Dion Waiters, Serge Ibaka, Steven Adams and Enes Kanter all contributing as they should if OKC is to have any hope of making any kind of run this post season.

Ibaka had 13 points and 8 rebounds. Kanter 14 points and 9 rebounds. Adams 15 points of which 11 came in the third period as he set a personal best scoring mark in a period as a pro. But the No. 1 Star of the Game goes to the oft criticized Dion Waiters who answered all his haters with a bounce back game in which he went 5-8 from the field and scored 11 of his 14 points in the fourth period.

Donovan’s rotations at the guard position were interesting tonight for sure. Andre Roberson returned and scored 4 points on 1-5 in 21 minutes and was one of only two Thunder players with a negative rating of -5. But, hey, in the world of internet metrics ‘he was the difference.’ Sigh. But seriously, I like Roberson and some of what he brings to the table, but until he learns how to shoot a basketball there are limitations to what he can contribute. But it’s nice to have him back, he has a role on this team.

Waiters played 27 minutes and had an overall solid game with nice hustle plays, some rebounds, several nice assists, 14 clutch points and a Thunder high +16.

The big surprise of the night was Randy Foye’s minutes as in Billy Donovan played him 22 minutes. Foye went 2-7 hitting two threes and was +15. These minutes surprised me, but Dallas does play an offense predicated on swinging the ball and shooting a ton of threes–so maybe it shouldn’t have been that much of a surprise.

Cam Payne played only five first half minutes and couldn’t seem to defend his man at all. Payne didn’t play in the second half, didn’t score in the game, and was -5.

It was a typical OKC-Dallas game of runs as both teams usually answer the other until the Thunder summon enough will at the end to subdue the overmatched Mavs. Dirk led the Mavs with 33 points, but these Mavs aren’t anything close to Dirk’s Mavs of 2011, yet it wouldn’t be totally inconceivable if OKC and Dallas end up as first round foes.

After the Cleveland loss on Sunday, any Thunder win on the road is a good win, so this qualifies as a good road win over a so-so Dallas team which is going nowhere except possibly a first round exit.

Thunder improve to 41-16 and play the Pelicans in New Orleans tomorrow night.

Mike Jackson

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