Recap: Thunder 87 at Mavericks 100

Earl K. Sneed recaps the Mavericks' home win over the previously unbeaten Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night, as the defending champions finished off a stretch of four games in five nights by avenging last week's last-second loss.

DALLAS — Some losses hurt worse than other.

Last Thursday night, the defending NBA champion Dallas Mavericks felt a severe sting after falling in Oklahoma City thanks to two-time scoring champion Kevin Durant’s game-winning 3-pointer just before the final buzzer. Monday night, the Mavericks sought revenge, welcoming in Durant and the unbeaten Thunder to conclude a stretch of four games in five nights.

Hitting the court just a night after surrendering a 15-0 run to close a 99-82 road loss to Minnesota, the Mavericks entered their matchup with the Thunder not needing any added motivation to improve upon their 1-4 record. And with an opportunity to send a message to the early-season Western Conference favorite, the new-look Mavs hoped to send their neighbors from up north packing with their first loss of the young season.

Although it won’t erase last week’s disappointment, the Mavericks (2-4) got even to tie the four-game season series at a win apiece after an impressive 100-87 victory.

“I feel like we’re going to be able to play with anybody, ultimately,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said of his team after knocking the Thunder from the ranks of the unbeaten. “We’ve got work to do, it’s obvious. We’re gaining a little momentum, but we were gaining momentum last week and then laid an egg last night in Minnesota. We’ve got to continue the right way and maintain the proper focus, and that’s challenging.”

He added: “We had a lot of guys play well. We needed everybody tonight. Oklahoma City is a very potent team offensively and they’re very good defensively. We’re still looking at some different things, but we’re making some gradual progress.”

After a rough go of things offensively for both teams in the early minutes of the opening quarter, the Mavericks turned to their bench early. Seeing their team was in need, eight-time All-Star Vince Carter and reigning Sixth Man of the Year Lamar Odom provided a spark. And with both teams shooting close to 35 percent from the floor, the Mavs and Thunder (5-1) found themselves knotted at 20-all after one quarter of play.

Mavericks leading scorer Dirk Nowitzki then took matters into his own hands, draining his 8,000th career made field goal on a vintage stepback jumper as the Mavs went in front by double figures. The feat is good for fourth amongst active players and 31st in league history. Big man Brendan Haywood did the rest while dominating the interior at both ends, before Thunder reserve James Harden’s 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer trimmed the Dallas lead to 54-47 at the break.

Behind 24 points combined from the bench duo of Carter and Jason Terry to go along with Nowitzki’s 10 points in the first unit, the Mavs had plenty of offense to withstand Durant’s 12 first-half points. Meanwhile, the reigning champs bounced back from the sluggish shooting first quarter to outshoot the Thunder at the midway point, 47.7 percent to 41 percent.

After an up and down first half, veteran forward Shawn Marion got the better of Durant in their matchup during the third quarter. The four-time All-Star’s defense on the Thunder’s go-to player and unorthodox scores at the offensive end helped the Mavs build a lead as large as 15.

“We needed this one,” Marion explained. “Collectively, we played offense and defense tonight. And, you know, we started moving the ball like we’re capable of moving the ball tonight and sharing. When we’re doing that it’s a pretty thing to watch.”

The Thunder continued to hang around, however, with power forward Serge Ibaka scoring inside. But with Carter finding success posting up on the block, the home team entered the final 12 minutes of play ahead, 78-65.

“You’ve just gotta find where in the offense you can be effective,” Carter said of his transition offensively into Carlisle’s system. “And I think just patience. We have a lot of guys that are willing passers on this team. So, it’s fun.”

Thunder reserve guard Eric Maynor tried to singlehandedly keep his team in the game in the fourth period, scoring from the perimeter until Durant reemerged as the Thunder’s lead offensive weapon. Answering every serious threat the Thunder threw their way, though, the Mavericks continued to deliver timely scores to keep the visiting team at a safe distance.

After a defensive stand, the Mavs thought they’d quieted the Thunder for good with Carter’s outlet pass to a breaking Odom for a score and foul on Ibaka to put the Mavs up 89-75 with 5:36 remaining. But OKC showed they had one more run left, climbing to within eight before Marion followed up a runner in the lane with a clutch 3-pointer to put the Mavs up 96-82 with 1:55 left.

Thunder coach Scott Brooks soon pulled his starters, as the Mavericks paid their neighbors back with a much-needed home victory for their second of the season.

Leading the way for the Mavericks was Nowitzki on another historic night in his illustrious career, finishing with a team-high 26 points on 10-of-16 shooting. Marion added a season-high 17 points, while Terry (15), Carter (season-high 14) and Ian Mahinmi (10) all scored in double figures off the Dallas bench to power a 47-25 advantage in the battle of the reserves.

“It’s a different makeup than last year; different style, different strengths and we’ve got to play to those. We’re going to have to figure things out as we go along to a certain degree. But it’s a good bunch of guys and they’re trying. We’ve got to keep pushing them,” Carlisle said of his reserves.

“We’re very capable. We know that. It’s just gonna take a little time,” Carter added. “A lot of guys are having to learn on the floor from each other and want to play well. Sometimes it’s tough, because you try so hard to fit in. … You just have to find your spots. And I think now we’re starting to understand how each individual plays, how we can play as a team and how your role fits in the offense.”

Meanwhile, the Mavs’ collection of scorers benefited from point guard Jason Kidd’s season-high nine assists despite going scoreless.

Durant led four Thunder players in double figures with a game-high 27 points on 10-of-21 shooting. However, the Mavericks outshot the Thunder, 48.8 percent to 40.3 percent, while also battling to a 41-41 rebounding stalemate. In addition, the Dallas team surrendered two less turnovers than the Thunder's 14 giveaways.

The Mavericks will now hit the practice court on Tuesday before returning to action at home against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night, in a game that will air locally on Fox Sports Southwest at 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling (214) 747-6287.

“I think each game we play is important, ’cause we know every team is coming out wanting to beat this team,” Carter explained while looking ahead to the Suns. “I’m just glad to see us come out and really persevere and really play well tonight. We finally put it all together.”

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 either of the two Los Angeles Lakers games is through the Rivalry Pack. Tickets to 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.