Mavericks 135 - 131 Thunder
Final
  for this game

Mavs visit OKC with playoff positioning at stake

Apr 1, 2015 - 2:24 PM

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(SportsNetwork.com) - The Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder will continue their playoff pursuit Wednesday when the two clubs clash at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

The Mavericks are seventh in the Western Conference standings - three games behind San Antonio and three ahead of Oklahoma City. The Thunder are 2 1/2 games ahead of New Orleans for the eighth and final spot.

Dallas has lost the first two tests on its three-game road trip against the Spurs and Indiana Pacers, and dropped a 104-99 decision to the Pacers on Sunday.

Chandler Parsons led the Mavs with 27 points and Dirk Nowitzki chipped in 19. Dallas guard Monta Ellis missed the contest with a calf injury he suffered in Friday's loss to San Antonio.

Ellis is probable for Wednesday's game.

Parsons missed a contested 3-pointer toward the end of the game, and C.J. Miles made two free throws to seal the win.

"It's a play for a 3-point shot and it's got a lot of options," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said of the final offensive play.

The Mavs have lost four of their last five games, and are winless in three straight and seven of eight road games. They have a 20-17 road mark this season and will play three straight at home versus Houston, Golden State and Phoenix.

Oklahoma City went 1-2 on a recent road trip, which culminated with Sunday's 109-97 victory over the Suns. Russell Westbrook scored 33 points, D.J. Augustin had 19 off the bench and Steven Adams provided 13 and 16 rebounds.

The Thunder shot 46.5 percent and trailed by as many as 20 points in the second quarter.

"We came in, played better defense and that fueled our offense," said Thunder coach Scott Brooks.

OKC has won five of its last seven games and is 27-9 at home. It will visit the Memphis Grizzlies Friday night.

Thunder guard Dion Waiters (foot) is questionable versus the Mavericks, who are 2-1 against them this season. Dallas has prevailed in four of the last five games in this series.






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