Russell Westbrook knows no fatigue. Oklahoma City opponents also don’t know how to stop him. The dynamic guard is on a tear, scoring at least 40 points in his last four games, while recording a triple-double in two of them. On the season, Westbrook is averaging 31.7 PPG, 10.1 APG, and 10.7 RPG.
Despite Westbrook’s efforts though, the Thunder have lost their last two contest, the latest being a 118-111 setback at the hands of Phoenix on the road. The Thunder are now winless in their last six road games. Westbrook and company will look to end their skid against Dallas, where OKC is 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS in their last four trips there.
Westbrook exploded for 45 points with eight rebounds and three assists in a 109-98 home win over Dallas on Jan. 26, scoring 17 in the fourth quarter. Victor Oladipo supplied 17 points in that game but he’s a question mark to be on the floor later tonight with a back ailment. Alex Abrines will likely see a spot start role should Oladipo be declared out again. Abrines has scored at least 10 points in five games in lieu of Oladipo in the starting unit, going 16-for-31 in those contests.
Look for Oklahoma City to dominate the rebounding battle against Dallas. The Thunder are third in the league in that department with 46.3 RPG, while Dallas is pulling down just 38.4 RPG. The Thunder grabbed 56 rebounds in the earlier meeting the Mavs, who only had 37 in that meeting.
Nerlens Noel is starting to get his groove playing for his new team. The former Kentucky Wildcat scored 15 points with 17 rebound and two blocks during the Mavericks’ 104-100 home win over Memphis.
It was Noel’s first start for Dallas and it’s likely he’ll stick to that role moving forward as the Mavericks continue their hunt of a playoff spot in the western conference.
The Mavericks were without their key players in the aforementioned January loss to OKC. Dirk Nowitzki, Wesley Matthews, J.J. Barea, and the now Cleveland Cav Deron Williams all sat in that game due to injuries.
Nowitzki will be on the floor tonight, however, and it’s expected that Matthews will join the team back after a two-game absence due to a hip injury. Barea, meanwhile, is far from returning but Seth Curry has definitely plugged the hole in the guard position with his stellar play. Curry, who scored 24 points in the Memphis game, has averaged 23.6 points on 56.8% shooting from the field over his last five games.
