Dallas Mavericks (3-2) beat Oklahoma City Thunder (4-1) 120-96 at home on Wednesday, October 28. The final margin was 24 points.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Mavericks had the better start, winning the first 33-30 to lead by 3 after one. The Mavericks kept the pressure on with a 32-29 second quarter, carrying a 6-point lead into halftime.
The Mavericks won the third 29-22 to create some separation, taking a 13-point lead into the fourth. The Mavericks took the fourth 26-15; the Mavericks finished the job for a 120-96 regulation win.
Why it was lopsided
The Mavericks got more from their shots, finishing at 55.7% effective field-goal shooting compared with 44.3% for the Thunder. The Mavericks took better care of the ball, turning it over on 9.2% of possessions compared with 13.2% for the Thunder. That shooting gap supplied the clearest edge.
The Thunder did win one battle, the free-throw line: FT rate of 21.8 against 12.4. The Mavericks made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 98 possessions per team, the Mavericks produced 122.6 points per 100 possessions to 98.1 for the Thunder.
The Mavericks' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 41-18.
Who stood out
Ajay Mitchell was the game's biggest individual force for OKC: 29 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast on 12-20 shooting. His Game Score of 23.4 led everyone. His team was +4 with him on the floor.
Cooper Flagg led the Mavericks with 26 pts, 5 reb, 8 ast on 10-23 shooting, good for a 20.6 Game Score.
Isaiah Hartenstein (10 pts, 14 reb, 3 ast) recorded a double-double.
What it means
By our Win Meter this was an upset: The Mavericks entered with about a 23% chance.
Across the last 7 meetings in our records, Oklahoma City Thunder lead 4-3.
The Mavericks are now 3-2, and the Thunder are 4-1. The Mavericks last five before this game: W-L-W-L-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.