Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

Game day preview – OKC Thunder stay home to take on Mavericks

By Wil Harrington

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - NOVEMBER 12: OKC Thunder Guard Russell Westbrook (0) looking to make a play while Dallas Mavericks Guard Yogi Ferrell (11) plays defense during the Oklahoma City Thunder game versus the Dallas Mavericks on November 12, 2017, at the Chesapeake Energy Arena Oklahoma City, OK. (Photo by Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - NOVEMBER 12: OKC Thunder Guard Russell Westbrook (0) looking to make a play while Dallas Mavericks Guard Yogi Ferrell (11) plays defense during the Oklahoma City Thunder game versus the Dallas Mavericks on November 12, 2017, at the Chesapeake Energy Arena Oklahoma City, OK. (Photo by Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – NOVEMBER 12: OKC Thunder Guard Russell Westbrook (0) looking to make a play while Dallas Mavericks Guard Yogi Ferrell (11) plays defense during the Oklahoma City Thunder game versus the Dallas Mavericks on November 12, 2017, at the Chesapeake Energy Arena Oklahoma City, OK. (Photo by Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – NOVEMBER 12: OKC Thunder Guard Russell Westbrook (0) looking to make a play while Dallas Mavericks Guard Yogi Ferrell (11) plays defense during the Oklahoma City Thunder game versus the Dallas Mavericks on November 12, 2017, at the Chesapeake Energy Arena Oklahoma City, OK. (Photo by Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Game day preview breaks down the OKC Thunder New Years Eve match as they attempt to get back on track hosting the Dallas Mavericks.

After six wins in a row, the OKC Thunder finally showed signs of mortality in a tough loss to the Milwaukee Bucks Friday night. The loss only moved the Thunder’s December record to 12-4, so there is still a lot to be happy about. Check Thunderous Intentions post grades here.

The Dallas Mavericks are winners of their last three contests and will try to keep rolling against the OKC Thunder on New Years Eve. Both teams will be coming off of one day of rest since their Friday games. The rest is important for these squads with the Mavs being the 5th oldest team (average age 27.2) and OKC the 8th oldest (average age 26.5) according to herosports.com.

The OKC Thunder had been hot and just missed a seventh straight win against the Bucks in dramatic fashion. Referees missed an unfortunate out-of-bounds call on Giannis Antetokounmpo on the final play of the game. Not playing due to knee soreness, Paul George weighed in on the final play:

There is not much time for the OKC Thunder to dwell on the past. Looking ahead at the match with the Dallas Mavs, there are a few keys if the Thunder are to come away with the win.

Home/Thunder News