OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks – everything you need to know

As the OKC Thunder takes to the court for the remainder of the season it will be with a predominantly young squad.

Al Horford has been shut down for the season as the team focuses on development (and tanking). The core trio will also be out this evening as Darius Bazley and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander miss their ninth and third consecutive games and Luguentz Dort is out in the concussion protocol.

Moving forward, the team may not be in as many games as they were through the first half of the schedule. Yet, that’s not a bad thing given the OKC Thunder would like to finish as close to the bottom of the ladder as possible.

It’s doubtful we’ll witness the team cough up a 22-0 run like the Rockets did the other night to the Wolves — but Houston is under the gun needing the lottery balls to bounce under four. That’s not a given even if they net the worst record.

Regardless, Thunder Nation won’t know the full dynamics of the lottery until season end, but in the interim let’s enjoy the development of Theo Maledon, Aleksej Pokusevski, Moses Brown, Tony Bradley (when he arrives), and the host of other youngsters trying to carve out a niche on the squad.

OKC Thunder versus Dallas Mavericks – everything you need to know:

The Mavericks arrive on the heels of a two-game losing skid as Luka Doncic missed the past two games due to lower back tightness but is expected to go tonight. Similarly, the Thunder are without SGA and also on a two-game losing streak.

With this being the third meeting between the Thunder and Mavericks we won’t reinvent the wheel. For those wanting a more thorough game plan please check out the three tips from the prior two matches:

• March 3rd – click here
• March 11th – click here

Game specifics:

Records:

• Thunder: 19-26
• Mavericks: 23-21

The Venue:  Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, OK

Tipoff:  8:00 PM ET  | 7:00 PM CT

TV: Fox Sports  Oklahoma | NBA League Pass

Radio: WWLS 98.1 FM OKC

Odds:

Injuries:

Of note, Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis both missed the last game the Mavericks played. Doncic missed the last two games with lower back stiffness while Porzingis sat for rest but both are not on the Mavericks injury report so presumably available tonight.

As per the NBA injury report …

OKC Thunder:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will miss his third consecutive game with plantar fasciitis
• Al Horford has been shut down for the season to allow the younger players a chance to develop and claim a spot on the future roster.
• Darius Bazley will miss his ninth consecutive game with a shoulder contusion.
• Mike Muscala is out with an ankle injury.
• Luguentz Dort is out in the concussion protocol program.

Mavericks:

• Willie Cauley-Stein is out due to health and safety protocols.
• Tyrell Terry is out due to personal reasons.
• J.J. Redick is healing from a heel injury and expected to miss another week healing from a procedure he had.

History:

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Over the course of history, these teams have played 162 times in the regular-season. The OKC Thunder have the advantage of winning 84 games while the Mavericks have won on 78 times occasions.

Last year the squads played just twice because of the pandemic affecting the schedule. Each squad won one contest. This is the second game between the clubs in this 2020-21 campaign.

The initial meeting was one of the greatest defensive battles of the season although the Mavericks came out on top 87-78. In the second match, the Thunder won 116-108 on March 11th.

This is the final meeting between the clubs this season and the winner will own the season series.  Check back in the morning

Enjoy the match and be sure to check tomorrow for the player grades and three takeaways.