Preseason Preview/ Shootaround Report: Thunder (0-0) at Mavericks (0-0)

Earl K. Sneed reports from the Mavericks' Sunday morning shootaround before tipping off the preseason at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

DALLAS -- The last time the Oklahoma City Thunder traveled to Dallas the team from up north was sent back packing after falling on the road at the hands of the eventual champions. Sunday, the Western Conference power makes its return south.

The long wait is over and time has finally come for a return to action, after the Dallas Mavericks ended last season atop the basketball world in June. The Mavericks finally hit the hardwood again on Sunday in their first exhibition action of the shortened preseason, facing off with the same Thunder squad the defending champs stormed through in five games of the conference finals.

It is the first of two preseason contests against each other, with the Mavericks set to travel north to OKC on Tuesday.

But much has changed since the last time the rivals journeyed up and down Interstate 35 to match strength and execution against each other, with the Mavs adding newcomers Lamar Odom, Vince Carter and Delonte West to their already veteran core headlined by NBA Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki, future Hall of Famer Jason Kidd, four-time All-Star Shawn Marion and star reserve Jason Terry. And with Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle already very familiar with the upstart Thunder lineup, he admits that the new-look titleholders will have a challenge on their hands if they are to build momentum heading into the 66-game season.

"It's a great test," Carlisle said. "They're gonna tax you in a lot of different ways. They're gonna tax you transition-wise, they're gonna tax you with their ability to disrupt, and they turn live-ball turnovers into baskets faster than anybody in basketball. And their transition game is probably the fastest of anybody in the league. So, we're gonna have to be thinking right. We're gonna have to be decisive, efficient, all those things. And it's the right team to play at the right time."

Virtually everyone on the Mavericks' roster is expected to be at Carlisle's disposal in order to collect a victory, with only off-season signee and big man Brandan Wright listed as doubtful after missing shootaround due to a stomach illnes. But perhaps more important than the game's final result is the need for conditioning and on-the-court experience with the team's new additions, as the entering trio tries to learn on the fly while also assisting the squad in its effort to repeat as champs.

And with a young but experienced Thunder team coming in featuring two-time scoring champ Kevin Durant and first-time All-Star Russell Westbrook, West says that he and his fellow newcomers will get plenty of hands-on experience against a team the Mavericks will see again -- the soonest being in Oklahoma City on Dec. 29 -- when games start to count, hoping to continue to rely on the returning nucleus as they adjust to their new surroundings.

"It's very helpful with the guys that are already here," West said of the transition to his new team. "I mean, from the top to the bottom, from the head guys to the smallest guy, it's Grade A. Trust me, I've been in some nice arenas and nice organizations, but this is Grade A stuff here and I'm proud to be a part of it. Everyone makes it so easy to be a professional here, 'cause everyone is professional in doing what they do."

"With the limited time, simplicity is a big part of our approach right now," Carlisle added. "We've got to be able to do the simple things really well. We've got to rely on our play making and an ability to spread the floor and penetrate the ball. And defensively we've got to be real persistent."

The Thunder-Mavericks preseason matchup will tip off at 6:30 p.m. at the American Airlines Center, airing locally on TXA 21.

Single-game tickets are on sale and available at the American Airlines Center North Box Office, online at mavs.com, via phone by calling 214-747-MAVS or 1-800-4NBA-TIX and all Ticketmaster outlets (Fiesta Grocery Stores, Wal-Mart, Simon Mall in Garland and the Shops at Willow Bend in Plano).

Rivalry Pack: Aside from being a season ticket holder, the only way for Mavs fans to attend the home opener against the Miami Heat or either of the two Los Angeles Lakers games is through the Rivalry Pack. Tickets to the Dec. 25 game vs. the Miami Heat and the Feb.22 and March 21 games vs. the Los Angeles Lakers can be purchased as part of a three-game package that includes one (1) of the three premium games and two (2) additional regular season games.

RPL Nights: RPL Nights return for the sixth season and will feature special discounted tickets for 10 pre-selected games. Tickets normally priced $9 will be $2, $15 will be $10, $31 will be $20 and $42 will be $32.

Tickets to the Mavs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder preseason game are also available for purchase. The Mavericks open up regular season play Dec. 25 vs. the Miami Heat (1:30 p.m.), with the regular season finale is set for April 20 vs. the Golden State (7:30 p.m.).