OKC Thunder host Dallas Mavericks in NYE contest – preview
For the second season in a row the OKC Thunder host the Dallas Mavericks on New Year’s Eve. Gameday previews the match with the keys to winning.
After completing a two-game road trip the OKC Thunder return home to take on the white hot Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks. The Thunder have been surprisingly good in December, getting above .500 on several occasions.
The Mavericks are scintillating especially with the services of their main superstar Doncic. The second year sensation has been playing so well that he is genuinely in the conversation for MVP.
Doncic is averaging 29.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 9.1 assists, and 1.2 steals in 32.1 minutes per game. He is shooting at 47.7 percent from the floor, 33.2 percent from deep and 80.6 percent from the charity stripe.
He is the undisputed leader of this Mavericks team which also has the talents of the 7’3″ Kristaps Porzingis and a good third option in Tim Hardaway jr. There is a reason they are sitting fourth in the Western Conference.
Luka Doncic is the 1st player to have multiple 30-point, 15-assist, 10-rebound games this season. pic.twitter.com/rBSVkNDvjC
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 29, 2019
Doncic just returned from a four-game layoff due to an ankle injury and is playing well since his return. As is the mark of a good squad, the rest of the team stepped up, going .500 in those games.
The Thunder are functioning without their own 3-point marksman, Danilo Gallinari who sat out, also due to an ankle injury. The Thunder are rolling along with a next man up mentality in order to continue their winning ways.
Fans should expect a game of incredible offense against disruptive defense.
This brings us to the keys to the game.