The Oklahoma City Thunder can make the Dallas Mavericks the first NBA defending champions to start a season with a three straight losses in over 40 years Thursday night. The Mavericks have lost to the Heat and Nuggets to start the season while the Thunder are one of the league's undefeated teams after beating the Magic, Timberwolves and Grizzlies.
The Thunder are led by the NBA's second-leading scorer, forward Kevin Durant, who is averaging 31.7 points per game. Only LeBron James is averaging more points per game (32.7). Guard James Harden's 18.3 points per game is the second most on the team. They're averaging 99.67 points per game, which is the eighth most in the league, and are allowing 94.67 points from opposing teams, which is 11th.
The Mavericks are led by Dirk Nowitzki's 20.5 and Jason Terry's 14.5 points per game. They average 93.5 points per game, 17th in the NBA, but give up a league high 110 points per game.
Durant and the Thunder will likely give the Mavericks a tough go in their fourth game of the season in this rematch of the Western Conference finals from last year.
Game Date/Time: Thursday, Dec. 29; 8 p.m. ET
Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, OK
TV Schedule:
National: TNT