Back On Track: Thunder Rally In Second Half To Beat Mavericks

Just two days after the Thunder played one of their worst games of the season against the Knicks, Oklahoma City responded valiantly on Sunday evening as they prevailed in the fourth quarter to beat the red hot Dallas Mavericks 117-114.   

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Russell Westbrook was incredibly efficient in the win, totaling 31 points to go with eleven assists and five steals. Also thriving for the Thunder (8-6) on Sunday was the bench unit. Anthony Morrow (14), Enes Kanter (12) and Nick Collison (10) all scored in double-digits off the bench and were crucial contributors in the Oklahoma City win.

The Thunder looked solid throughout the first half and held a 60-52 lead at intermission, but the Mavericks came out of halftime on a tear. Dallas made its first ten shots of the third quarter and used a 25-to-9 run to take a 10-point lead halfway through the frame.

Oklahoma City was able to fight back, and responded with a 14-to-3 run to end the third quarter and took a two-point lead into the fourth.

The final quarter was a back and forth contest and the score was tied with a little more than a minute left in the game. That’s when Westbrook took advantage of his defensive mismatch, and stroked a jumper over the much shorter J.J. Barea to put the Thunder up two points.

Oklahoma City then held a one-point lead after Zaza Pachulia hit one of this two free throw attempts, but Westbrook wasn’t done putting on a show and nailed home another jumper from the top of the key to give OKC a three-point lead with 24 seconds left in the game. Swarming team-defense took care of business on the other end of the court as the Thunder were able to pull out the home win.

Serge Ibaka was able to get out of his two-game slump and total 16 points and nine rebounds, while Dion Waiters scored 14 points. Six players scored in double-digits for the Thunder. Deron Williams led the Mavericks in scoring with 20 points while Wesley Matthews added 18.  

Oklahoma City will be back in action tomorrow night when they travel to Utah to play the Jazz (6-6). Tipoff is set for 8 p.m.