The OKC Thunder entered the game in Dallas having played the night prior and looking to salvage a tough week. Although the Thunder convincingly beat the Warriors the two losses to the Pelicans and Pistons necessitated a win versus the Mavericks to salvage a .500 week.
Despite the Mavericks 4-15 record they had won two of their past three games and pushed the Celtics to overtime in the third. This was not a team who embodied their existing record and couldn’t be taken lightly. Unfortunately that message if communicated never reached the majority of the OKC Thunder.
The Mavericks on the the other hand came out sharp, focused and ready to win.