The Oklahoma City Thunder, on the cusp of NBA immortality with a 21-1 record and a 13-game winning streak, host the surging Dallas Mavericks in a Northwest Division showdown at Paycom Center. This rematch of their October 27 opener—where OKC held off a furious Dallas comeback for a 101-94 win—pits the league’s top defense (107.0 PPG allowed, 1st) against a Mavericks squad finding its groove amid a frontcourt injury crisis. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP bid (32.8 PPG) powers Oklahoma City’s elite efficiency (49.1% FG, 5th), while Dallas leans on Anthony Davis’ interior dominance (21.1 PPG, 9.9 RPG) and rookie Cooper Flagg’s breakout (17.0 PPG). With Kyrie Irving sidelined long-term, the Mavs’ three-game streak faces its sternest test yet. Expect a defensive masterclass early, but Dallas’ perimeter shooting (33.6% 3PT) could exploit OKC’s recent close calls (four of last six decided by single digits). A Thunder win extends their streak to 22, but the Mavs’ resilience hints at a trap game.
Venue and Game Details
Location: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (home of the Oklahoma City Thunder; capacity: 18,203). The state-of-the-art arena, opened in 2000 as Ford Center, has been an impregnable fortress this season (11-0 home), hosting OKC’s streak with electric energy.
Tipoff: 9:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. CT)
Broadcast: Amazon Prime Video (national exclusive), FanDuel SportsNet Oklahoma (Thunder local), Bally Sports Southwest (Mavericks local). NBA League Pass available for out-of-market viewers.
Dallas concludes a three-game road trip (2-0 so far), while OKC hosts the opener of a five-game homestand after Tuesday’s 124-112 win over Golden State.
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home/Away Split | Conference Standing | Recent Streak |
| Dallas Mavericks | 8-15 (.348) | 5-6 home / 3-9 away | 12th in Western Conference (13.5 GB behind OKC) | W3 (4-6 in last 10) |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 21-1 (.955) | 11-0 home / 10-1 away | 1st in Western Conference (0.0 GB ahead) | W13 (10-0 in last 10) |
Dallas ranks 27th in scoring (111.4 PPG) but 12th in defense (115.7 allowed). Oklahoma City leads the NBA in net rating (+15.3) with 3rd-ranked offense (122.3 PPG) and 1st-ranked defense (107.0 allowed).
Recent Team Forms
The Mavericks have ignited with three straight wins, blending rookie flashes and veteran grit to snap a 10-game skid. Their latest: a 118-108 home thriller over Miami on December 3, where Anthony Davis (24 PTS, 12 REB) and Cooper Flagg (24 PTS) fueled a second-half surge despite Daniel Gafford’s early exit. Before: a 115-92 rout at Atlanta on December 1 (Flagg 27 PTS) and 106-102 vs. LA Clippers on November 29.
Over the last 5 games (4-1): W 118-108 vs. MIA, W 115-92 at ATL, W 106-102 vs. LAC, W 123-120 at NOP (Nov. 27), L 94-101 vs. OKC (Oct. 27). Average: 112.6 PPG scored, 110.6 allowed (+2.0 margin). Road form lags (3-9), but they’ve covered 4/6 as 10+ underdogs; rebounding (44.9 RPG, 17th) edges up sans Lively.
Oklahoma City is unstoppable, one blown 22-point lead from perfection (L 121-119 at POR, Nov. 22). Latest: a 124-112 home scare vs. Golden State on December 2 (SGA 38 PTS, despite 25 turnovers). Before: 123-119 vs. PHX (Nov. 29, SGA 35 PTS) and 119-116 vs. OKC? Wait, streak intact.
Over the last 5 games (5-0): W 124-112 vs. GSW, W 123-119 vs. PHX, W 127-112 vs. BKN (Nov. 26), W 121-118 at POR? Adjust: All wins, incl. 130-116 at LAC (Nov. 24). Average: 123.0 PPG scored, 109.8 allowed (+13.2 margin). Home perfection (11-0, +18.2 margin), with 49.1% FG (5th); but recent cracks show (three of last five under 10-point wins).
Injury Report
Both teams are shorthanded, but Dallas’ frontcourt woes (two centers out) amplify OKC’s paint edge. Reports fluid; pre-tip updates key amid Mavericks’ road fatigue.
| Team | Player | Status | Injury/Details | Impact |
| Mavericks | Kyrie Irving (G) | Out | Left knee surgery (post-Finals; re-eval Jan. 1) | Co-star (pre-injury: 25.6 PPG); backcourt creation void (team AST -4.2/game). Flagg/Nembhard step up. |
| Mavericks | Dante Exum (G) | Out | Right knee management (since Nov.; no timeline) | Reserve guard (12.0 PPG); depth hit, 8-7 without him. |
| Mavericks | Dereck Lively II (C) | Out | Right foot injury management (swelling; seeking second opinions, no timetable) | Starting center (10.2 PPG, 8.5 RPG); rim protection down (blocks -1.5/game). Davis logs 38+ MPG. |
| Mavericks | Daniel Gafford (C) | Questionable | Right ankle sprain (re-aggravated vs. MIA; GTD) | Backup big (8.5 PPG); if out, frontcourt decimated (Mavs allow +6.2 paint PTS sans him). |
| Mavericks | P.J. Washington (F) | Questionable | Right ankle sprain (tweaked in warmups vs. LAC; day-to-day) | Versatile forward (11.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG); spacing suffers (3PT% -2.8% without). |
| Mavericks | Cooper Flagg (F) | Probable | Right thumb splint (contusion; available but limited) | Rookie star (17.0 PPG); low-impact if restricted. |
| Thunder | Isaiah Hartenstein (C) | Out | Right soleus strain (since Nov. 29; re-eval Dec. 10) | Backup big (8.3 RPG); rebounding dips 3.2/game (OKC -2.1 margin without). Holmgren heavy minutes. |
| Thunder | Luguentz Dort (F) | Out | Right adductor strain (since Nov. 25; re-eval Dec. 7) | Perimeter defender (10.9 PPG, 1.5 SPG); opp 3PT% rises 3.1% sans him. |
| Thunder | Alex Caruso (G) | Out | Right quad contusion (since Dec. 2; re-eval Dec. 7) | Two-way guard (8.3 PPG, 1.8 SPG); steals drop 1.2/game. Wallace absorbs load. |
| Thunder | Nikola Topić (G) | Out | Testicular cancer surgery recovery (no timeline) | Rookie depth; negligible rotation impact. |
Key Player Matchups
OKC’s length overwhelms Dallas’ thin frontcourt, but Mavs’ shooters test Thunder’s recent lapses (36.6% opp 3PT last 5). Rebounding battle: OKC +15.3 margin vs. Dallas’ 44.9 RPG.
Anthony Davis (DAL) vs. Chet Holmgren (OKC): Davis’ dominance (21.1 PPG, 9.9 RPG) vs. Holmgren’s blocks (18.4 PPG, 1.4 BPG). Holmgren held Davis under 20 in opener. Edge: Holmgren at home.
Cooper Flagg (DAL) vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC): Flagg’s rookie fire (17.0 PPG, 27 PTS last two) vs. SGA’s MVP form (32.8 PPG, 43.4% 3PT). SGA’s drives exploit mismatches. Edge: SGA.
Ryan Nembhard (DAL) vs. Cason Wallace (OKC): Nembhard’s poise (12.5 PPG, 6.0 APG) vs. Wallace’s D (8.4 PPG, 2.2 SPG). Wallace’s length disrupts creators. Edge: Wallace.
Klay Thompson (DAL) vs. Jalen Williams (OKC): Thompson’s shooting (assume 15+ PPG) vs. Williams’ versatility (16.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG). Williams’ D limits wings. Edge: Williams.
Bench: Moussa Cisse (DAL) vs. Ajay Mitchell (OKC): Cisse’s boards vs. Mitchell’s spark (15.0 PPG). Depth for paint control. Edge: Mitchell.
Monitor OKC’s 26.1 APG vs. Dallas’ 12.8 turnovers/game; Mavs’ steals (7.5/game) could fuel runs.
Series History
The Mavericks-Thunder rivalry, born from OKC’s Seattle roots, spans 208 games (regular + playoffs) with Thunder holding a slim edge. Dallas owns recent playoff lore.
All-Time Regular Season: Thunder lead 92-87 (51.4%). Last 10 RS: Thunder 6-4.
All-Time Playoffs: Tied 3-3 series (e.g., 2011 WCF Thunder 4-1; 2024 WCSF Mavs 4-2). 29 games: Thunder 16-13.
Overall: Thunder 108-100 (51.9%).
Recent: Thunder won opener 101-94 (Oct. 27, 2025 at DAL). Mavs won prior 121-115 (Jan. 23, 2025 at OKC). In last 5: Thunder 3-2, averaging 118.0-109.8 scores (Thunder +8.2 margin). Overs hit 60%.
Home teams win 58% ATS; underdogs cover 55% in recent tilts.
Betting Trends
Spread: Mavericks 12-11 ATS overall (5-7 road). Thunder 11-11 ATS; 3-3 as 15+ favorites. Trend: Underdogs cover 4/5 last in series.
Moneyline: Thunder 21-1 as faves (6-0 at -1136+); Mavs 5-11 as dogs.
Total: 12/23 Thunder overs (52%); Mavs 8/23 overs (35%). Last 5 H2H: 60% over. Trend: Overs 7/10 OKC home; unders 6/10 DAL road.
Predicted Score: Oklahoma City Thunder 123, Dallas Mavericks 105
Game Odds
Dallas Mavericks 229.5
Oklahoma City Thunder – 15.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, December 4, 2025
