The Dallas Mavericks made a quick trip north Sunday evening, finishing up the second game of a back to back, facing the Oklahoma City Thunder. This was Dennis Smith Jr.’s first matchup with reigning MVP Russell Westbrook, although they didn’t square up opposite each other until the second quarter (more on this later). The Thunder played shorthanded, with both Carmelo Anthony and Steven Adams out with injury.
The Mavericks started the game comfortably, hitting early shots and keeping pace with the Thunder, but quickly went cold, and turnovers became the storyline.