Thunder open preseason by besting Mavs
DALLAS (AP)
While some teams, such as the defending NBA champion Dallas Mavericks, have altered their rotations, the Oklahoma City Thunder have stood pat.
Kevin Durant scored 21 points and reserve James Harden added 16 Sunday to lead the Thunder to a 106-92 victory over the Mavericks in the preseason opener for both teams.
The Thunder reached the Western Conference finals last season before falling in five games to the Mavs.
Oklahoma City has kept its young rotation intact, and the Thunder expect a smooth transition into the regular season.
''It should help a lot as far as chemistry is concerned,'' said Durant, the NBA scoring leader last season at 27.7 points per game, whose aggressive play led to a 13-for-14 night from the free-throw line.
''We've been together for a while. We know each other's games. Hopefully, our young legs push us through it.''
Oklahoma City went 31 for 55 from the field and 10 for 21 from beyond the 3-point line to help negate 25 turnovers that led to 33 Dallas points.
''Offensively, we were sloppy with the ball,'' Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. ''Too many turnovers. But that's something we have to work on and we will correct.''
Lamar Odom, acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers in a trade on Dec. 11, had 14 points and seven rebounds in his Mavericks debut.
Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd, leaders of the Mavericks' title run, were in uniform and are healthy but were rested. Delonte West and Odom started in their place.
Dominique Jones and Roddy Beaubois took advantage of additional minutes to score 17 points apiece, pacing Dallas.
''(Nowitzki and Kidd) being out, we're not going to be the same team, but that's all right,'' Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said.
''We need to see other guys. Our philosophy is that when we're without any of our guys, the guys that are available need to get the job done. We weren't able to do it tonight.''
The Mavs are working newcomers Odom, Vince Carter and West into their rotation, looking to make up for the losses of key rotation members Tyson Chandler, J.J. Barea and Caron Butler to trades or free agency.
The teams complete their two-game home-and-home exhibition set Tuesday night at Oklahoma City, and Nowitzki and Kidd are expected to play.
The Thunder took control with an 11-0 second-quarter run that included two 3-pointers from Daequan Cook, expanding a 25-24 lead after one quarter to 58-51 by halftime.
Oklahoma City went 7 for 11 from 3-point range in the first half, with Cook hitting 3 of 4 from beyond the arc.
Durant's nine points in the third quarter, all on foul shots, pushed the Thunder to a 90-70 advantage entering the fourth.
Dallas was 7 for 21 from the floor in the third quarter as the Thunder turned up the defensive pressure.
''Our defense was pretty good,'' Durant said. ''We were making our rotations, helping each other out, and we got to the free throw line.''
Dallas opened the fourth quarter with a 14-0 run and pulled as close as 93-88 on Ian Mahinmi's dunk with 5:04 remaining.
But the Thunder scored the next five points, including a pair of jumpers from Eric Maynor, for a 98-88 edge with 3:21 left, closing out the Mavs.
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Police: Ex-champ Tapia found dead
Johnny Tapia, the five-time boxing champion whose turbulent career was marked by coca... -
Spurs-Heat is culture clash we need
Boring? Hell, the Spurs are winners -- and winning can be more thrilling than porn. -
Two killed as rally car strikes crowd
A race car went out of control on a rural Irish road and crashed into a crowd of abou... -
Skydiver dies after both chutes fail
A veteran skydiver died in a horror accident in Australia over the weekend, when both... -
Kahne captures Coca-Cola 600
Kahne charges to commanding Charlotte victory.
NBA Videos
Hear from Gregg Popovich and Tony Parker after the Spurs 101-98 win over the Thu...
Hear from Scott Brooks and Kevin Durant after their Game 1 loss to San Antonio.
Marques Johnson dishes on the Celtics and Heat series.
NBA Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| adidas Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Gold | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Lakers/browse/featuredproduct/491688/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_491000/ff_491688_xl.jpg&w=100 | 89.95 | adidas Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-.. |
| adidas LeBron James Miami Heat Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Black | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Miami_Heat/browse/featuredproduct/498609/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_498000/ff_498609_xl.jpg&w=100 | 89.95 | adidas LeBron James Miami Heat Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Black |
| \'47 Brand Orlando Magic Black Hardwood Classics Franchise Fitted Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Orlando_Magic/browse/featuredproduct/505997/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_505000/ff_505997_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | \'47 Brand Orlando Magic Black Hardwood Classics Franchise Fitted Hat |
| New Era Dallas Mavericks Black Primary Logo 59FIFTY Flat Bill Fitted Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dallas_Mavericks/browse/featuredproduct/614631/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_614000/ff_614631_xl.jpg&w=100 | 34.95 | New Era Dallas Mavericks Black Primary Logo 59FIFTY Flat Bill Fitted Hat |
| Boston Celtics Team Mascot Gnome | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Boston_Celtics/browse/featuredproduct/617849/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_617000/ff_617849_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | Boston Celtics Team Mascot Gnome |
| Mitchell & Ness Houston Rockets Red Solid Script Snapback Adjustable Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Houston_Rockets/browse/featuredproduct/692238/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_692000/ff_692238_xl.jpg&w=100 | 25.95 | Mitchell & Ness Houston Rockets Red Solid Script Snapback Adjustable Hat |

Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.