:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/5753695/20120301_tjg_sd9_369.jpg)
The Dallas Mavericks look to even the score with the young Oklahoma City Thunder in the teams' last match-up of the regular season. So far, the Thunder own the head-to-head against Dallas, 2-1.
Oklahoma City had rattled off seven straight wins before losing to the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. Kevin Durant is averaging 34.1 points a game in his last seven contest. Durant put up 35 in the loss to Atlanta, while Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook contributed 25 points.
Dallas is glad to have Lamar Odom back and wanting to play basketball, after Odom left the team a couple of weeks ago to deal with personal family issues.
However, it's not just Odom's personal situation that has bothered the Mavericks, but his overall nonchalant demeanor as well. Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle said.
"We had a meeting with Lamar before the All-Star break - it was actually the day before the Laker game - to really lay it out to him that for us, it's not about his numbers. It's about his energy, the engagement in the game and the full commitment. Because he's a laid-back guy, because he's a finesse player, there's a lot of times that it appears that he's not in the game." - Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle
Dallas is riding a 102-76 win at home against the Utah Jazz on Saturday, after going through a four-game losing skid.
Game time and TV Schedule: NBA TV at 7 p.m.
To read more about the Oklahoma Thunder, go to Welcome to Loud City. For more on the Dallas Mavericks, check out Mavs Money Ball.