Thunder-Mavericks Game Preview

(Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)

Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com
Oklahoma City Thunder (21-17) at Dallas Mavericks (25-13)

You could probably watch your favorite DVD in the amount of time it takes to drive from Dallas up I-35 to Oklahoma City.

The close proximity between Texas and Oklahoma has formed a friendly rivalry between the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma Thunder. With just the Red River standing in their way, the two teams have turned in a few epic battles in the Thunder's brief existence. The Mavericks expect nothing less than a battle on Friday night, when the Thunder enter the American Airlines Center.

(Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)

"They've got a very nice team," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said of the Thunder. "They play hard, we're going to have to play harder. This is a tough game tonight. These guys played us well in here both times last year -- both very close games and both very closely contested. So, we're going to have to be ready."

"This team has given us problems the last couple of seasons. They're young, they're energized and they're playing well," sixth man Jason Terry said. "We have to be ready tonight."

The Mavericks have a leg up on their Oklahoma City rival this season, capturing a 100-86 road win on Dec. 16 in the first meeting between the two squads. Now the Mavs expect to see a much different Thunder squad, as Oklahoma City has won seven of their last 10 games.

For Dallas, capturing a win on the home floor is nearly a necessity after back-to-back home losses. The Mavericks are looking for momentum before embarking on a five-game Eastern Conference road trip.

"We're not happy with the last two games...We need to get a win and get off of the two-game losing streak. That's what you have to do to put a stop to that. And then after that you look ahead," Carlisle said.

"I think the key for us tonight is we have to come out here and have some fun tonight. Have fun and realize this is another opportunity for us to get a win," Terry said. "You don't want to go on this road trip thinking, 'We've just lost three in a row.'"

(Photo by Larry W. Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)

If the Mavericks are to end their recent home woes then stopping the Thunder's Kevin Durant will go a long ways towards the cause. Durant, the NBA's third leading-scorer, is averaging 28.9 points per game, but swingmen Josh Howard and Shawn Marion held the budding star to just 4-of-18 shooting and 12 points in Dallas' December win. Carlisle will be looking for the same perimeter defensive execution on Friday night.

"We did a pretty good job on (Durant) in the first game...We're going to have to throw multiple people at him, because he's a guy that is capable of going for 30 a night," the coach said.

Still the Mavericks understand with emerging stars like Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green, the Thunder are more than just a one-man team.

"They're a team that you can't take lightly because they're going to play hard," point guard Jason Kidd said. "They're athletic, they're young, they can get up and down, they can put a lot of pressure on you defensively...The biggest thing is for our team defense not to single one guy out, because they have other guys that can beat you."

The Mavericks will try to finish off a three-game home stand with a win against the Thunder on Friday night, before hitting the road for a tough Eastern stretch. The team is also hoping to improve on a 12-7 record in front of the Dallas faithful.

"The getaway game is always important, especially with the long road trip that's coming up for us out East...This is a big game no matter what for us, because we haven't played well at home," Kidd said.

The Mavericks-Thunder matchup will air locally on Fox Sports Southwest at 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling (214) 747-MAVS. Every fan that comes to the game will received a free "Dirk Nowitzki 20,000" poster, to recognize No. 41 becoming the first Mav, the first European and just the 34th player to reach the 20,000-point plateau.

Dallas and the NBA have introduced the official NBA All-Star game ballot, featuring Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Josh Howard, Shawn Marion and Jason Terry. For more on how to vote for your favorite Mavs for the All-Star game, to be held at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, visit Mavs.com.

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