PREVIEW
MAVS (21-11) AT THUNDER (17-15)
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Place: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City
TV: FSSW
Radio: ESPN 103.3 FM; Univision 1270 AM (Spanish)
About the Mavs: This is the final game of the 2019 calendar year for the Mavs. It’s also the finale of a three-game road trip for Dallas before the Mavs open a season-high six-game home stand Thursday night against the Brooklyn Nets. The road trip started with last Saturday’s 141-121 victory in San Francisco over the Golden State Warriors. The Mavs then lost to the Los Angeles Lakers, 108-95, on Sunday night . . . In the Mavs’ pregame notes, Luka Doncic (left wrist sprain, back contusion), Tim Hardaway Jr, (left hamstring strain) and Ryan Broekhoff (left knee contusion) are all listed as questionable . . . Doncic, who was injured on a hard foul by the Lakers’ Dwight Howard, has played 100 career games and is averaging 23.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg and 6.8 apg over that span. Overall this season Doncic is third in the NBA in scoring (28.8 ppg), 18th in rebounding (9.5 rpg), and third in assists (9.0 apg) . . . Hardaway was injured when he stole a pass and negotiated an uncontested fast break dunk midway through the first quarter of the game against the Lakers. Hardaway averages 13.7 ppg in 25.5 mpg . . . Kristaps Porzingis is averaging 17.3 ppg, is 19th in the league in rebounds with 9.4 rpg, and is fifth in blocks with 2.1 bpg . . . The Mavs are 76-82 all-time against the Thunder, including a 32-48 record during games played in Oklahoma City.
About the Thunder: After a relatively slow 6-11 start to the season, the Thunder is suddenly one of the hottest teams in the NBA with wins in 11 of their last 15 games, including victories in six of their last seven. That includes going 2-0 on a recent road trip that involved a 104-102 overtime win at Charlotte on Friday and a huge 98-97 victory at Toronto on Sunday . . . Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been the big star for the Thunder, especially lately. The 6-5 shooting guard has scored 27 or more points in four of Oklahoma City’s last five games. That includes 27 points in the win over Charlotte, and 32 in the victory over the defending world champion Raptors. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 19.8 ppg and 5.0 rpg, and has led the Thunder in scoring 11 times . . . Dennis Schroder averages 18.4 ppg and has led OKC in scoring on nine occasions . . . Danilo Gallinari averages 18 ppg and 5.7 rpg . . . Point guard Chris Paul provides the Thunder with some veteran leadership and is averaging 16.6 ppg and a team-high 6.5 apg . . . Center Steven Adams does most of the heavy lifting in the paint, averaging 11.6 ppg and 9.7 rpg . . . Former Mavs center Nerlens Noel comes off the bench and is averaging 7.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg and 1.5 bpg in 18.5 mpg.
Twitter: @DwainPrice
Share and comment