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Thunder Host Mavericks in High-Stakes NBA Showdown

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Okc Thunder Vs Dallas Mavericks Basketball Game

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Oklahoma City Thunder (36-7) will host the Dallas Mavericks (23-21) in a highly anticipated NBA matchup Thursday at 8 p.m. ET at Paycom Center. The game comes as both teams face injury challenges and look to build momentum in the Western Conference standings.

The Mavericks, who lead the season series 2-1, are coming off a narrow 115-114 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. Despite a standout performance from Kyrie Irving, who scored 36 points and dished out 9 assists, Dallas struggled without key players Luka Doncic (calf) and Klay Thompson (ankle). The team also announced that center Dereck Lively II will miss 2 to 3 months due to a foot fracture.

Meanwhile, the Thunder secured a 123-114 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s career-high 54 points. Oklahoma City has won six of its last seven games and remains one of the league’s top teams. However, the Mavericks handed the Thunder one of their few losses this season, winning 106-98 last Friday without Gilgeous-Alexander, who was sidelined with a wrist injury.

“Both teams are on a back-to-back, and Dallas won the last head-to-head meeting,” said a sports analyst during Wednesday’s broadcast. “But the Mavericks are dealing with significant injuries, and it’s hard to see them keeping up with the Thunder’s depth.”

Betting odds favor the Thunder by 13.5 points, with an over/under set at 221.5. The Mavericks are listed as +575 underdogs, while Oklahoma City is a heavy favorite at -900. Key players to watch include Gilgeous-Alexander, who has averaged 13 assists and rebounds over his last five games, and Irving, whose minutes may be limited due to recent heavy usage.

Injury updates for the Thunder include Jalen Williams (hip strain), who is questionable, while the Mavericks will be without Doncic, Thompson, Lively II, and several other key contributors. The game will be broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network.