Great news hoops fans! After a one-week hiatus, NBA action returns with a bang with the league serving up a couple of intriguing matchups later tonight. Opening festivities this evening are the Oklahoma City Thunder who will look to open their second half of the season with a victory when they square off with the Dallas Mavericks.
Following shortly thereafter is the much-anticipated clash between the defending champions San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Clippers. Read on below for a quick breakdown of these two important Western Conference games and while you’re at it you can check out our NBA previews of Toronto vs. Atlanta and Cleveland vs. Washington.
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Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (8:00 PM ET)
[sc:NBA240banner ]Oklahoma City headed into the All-Star break with its winning streak intact after crushing the Memphis Grizzlies, 105-89, on February 11. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook combined for 50 huge points to power the Thunder to their third straight win and moved them to just half a game behind the Phoenix Suns for that crucial eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
They will look to sustain their momentum later tonight when they take on the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks are coming off a tough 87-82 win over the Utah Jazz. It was the Mavs’ third win in their last four assignments and they are now currently in fifth place in the West with a 36-19 record.
Boosting Dallas’ campaign in the second half of the season is Amare Stoudemire who will join the Texas organization after being waived by the New York Knicks. He will be another offensive weapon for the Mavericks who are third in the NBA in scoring this season, averaging 106.3 points per game.
You can check out a complete preview of the game here.
Writer’s Prediction
Oklahoma City wins, 111-103.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Clippers (10:30 PM ET)
The San Antonio Spurs entered the All-Star break on a high after thrashing the Detroit Pistons, 104-87, on February 11. Five players scored in double-figures for the Spurs who are now in sixth position in the hotly-contested Western Conference with a 34-19 slate.
They will look to leapfrog the Clippers into fifth place with a victory over Doc Rivers’ men later tonight. The Clippers are a tough team to beat at Staples Center, however, as they are 21-7 at home thus far this season.
The Spurs are 7-3 in their last 10 meetings with the Clippers at Staples Center.
You can read our in-depth preview of the game here.
