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Only three more quarters stand between the Thunder and the win they were favored to collect coming into this evening. They have a bit of a cushion as they currently lead the Cavaliers 32-14. The Thunder entered the matchup having won three straight and they're just three quarters away from another.

The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks went toe to toe on Friday in the American Airlines Center and once again proved that these two teams have no love lost between them - They are the next great NBA rivalry.

Kyrie Irving — an expert in rivalries — agreed that the Thunder and Mavericks have become arch-nemesis. “It’s personal. I think it’s the start of a healthy rivalry," Irving said. "... We’re gonna be seeing them a lot over the next few years so it’s good that you set the precedent now what it’s gonna be like.

Inconsistency is about the only consistent theme of the Dallas Mavericks’ injury-riddled season. The Mavericks began most of the new year with the task of playing without Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

DALLAS -- Kyrie Irving scored 25 points, Spencer Dinwiddie and P.J. Washington Jr. added 16 apiece and the Dallas Mavericks beat Oklahoma City 106-98 Friday night as Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed his first game of the season.

Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is sitting out Friday's game against the Dallas Mavericks due to a sore right wrist.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sinks 40 points in 29 minutes as the Oklahoma City Thunder crush the Cleveland Cavaliers 134-114.