OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks, 2019-20 team preview
Contract Situation by category:
Guaranteed: J.J. Barea, Jalen Brunson, Tim Hardaway Jr, Courtney Lee, Ryan Broekhoff, Luka Doncic, Dorian Finney-Smith, Justin Jackson, Maxi Kleber, Kristaps Porzingis, Dwight Powell, Seth Curry, Boban Marjanovic, Delon Wright, Isaiah Roby
Non/Partial Guaranteed: None
Two-Way Contracts: Josh Reaves | Antonius Cleveland
Unsigned or on Exhibit 10: Dakota Mathias | Aric Holman | Yudai Baba
Thunder performance vs. Mavericks in 2018-19
Not a great series for the OKC Thunder in 2018-19 as they lost three out of four games.
November 10, 2018, OKC Thunder at Dallas Mavericks. Loss – 96 – 111
Doncic 22 points, George and Adams 20 points
December 30, 2018, OKC Thunder at Dallas Mavericks. Loss: 103 – 105
Doncic 25 points, George 36 points
December 31, 2018, OKC Thunder versus Dallas Mavericks. Win: 122 – 102
Westbrook 32 points, Barnes 25 points
March 31, 2019, OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks, Loss 103 – 106
Burke 25 points, George 27 points
Paul George was the top scorer in three of the four games and Westbrook led in the lone OKC Thunder victory. For Dallas Doncic led his team twice while Barnes and Burke took the honors in the final two contests. Their scores are noted above.
Mavericks Games versus OKC Thunder in 2019-20:
Away Game: Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at 7:30 p.m. EST
Home Game: Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019, at 8:00 p.m. EST
Home Game: Monday, January 27, 2020, at 8:00 p.m. EST
Marquee matchup: Luka Doncic vs. Andre Roberson
What to expect in the three matches versus Mavericks this season:
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Having played the Mavericks in preseason twice neither club gave away all their secrets nor did they play with both teams best on the court in the same match.
Making matters tricky is the OKC Thunder already had issues with the Mavericks last season with their two superstars and no Porzingis for Dallas. To suggest this season won’t be more difficult would be naive. Granted, Rick Carlisle is a brilliant coach so he may have figured out how to limit the iso ball style the Thunder were so fond of.
This is one of those rare occasions were the marquee matchup falls outside of the Thunder core talents and leans to a specialist. Andre Roberson has yet to face Luka Doncic and could prove to be the defensive elixir who can at the very least limit him. The true challenge will be Porzingis who will be a handful for Adams and/or Noel.
As for play styles, the Thunder will need to fully employ their ball and player movement strategy to gain an edge while the Mavericks will need to showcase improved defense to compliment their offense.
Next. Roundtable sessions: Thunder lineups, rotations, reserve units. dark
Two of the dates fall before the deadline, however, I’m not convinced the Thunder will be able to overtake the Mavericks to win the series given the dynamic duo. For that reason, I’m giving the edge to Dallas with the Thunder winning one of the three contests.