Thunder Sweep Mavericks As James Harden Pops Off In Game 4

And Now, Watch The Dallas Mavericks Get Dismantled Again

The Thunder tore the Mavericks to pieces in a four-game sweep. Now the Mavericks will tear themselves to pieces again as Dallas prepares for the ________ era.

Mavericks Vs. Thunder, NBA Playoffs 2012 Game 4: OKC Eliminates Dallas, Winning 103-97

Despite playing four of the closest games so far in the first round of the NBA playoffs, the Oklahoma City Thunder completed the series sweep, defeating the Dallas Mavericks, 103-97, in Game 4. The Thunder were eliminated by the eventual champion Mavs in last season's Western Conference Finals, but, despite winning the four games by an average of 8.5 points, Oklahoma City handled them in this first round series. It was the first time the Mavericks have ever been swept in a best-of-seven playoff series, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

James Harden was the absolute star of Game 4. He scored a career playoff high 29 points with five rebounds and five assists, and was really the Thunder's point guard and primary scoring option down the stretch. He hit the game-clinching bucket with 10 seconds left, blowing by a hapless Jason Kidd for a righty layup to put the Thunder up five. Kevin Durant scored 24 points and chipped in 11 rebounds, while Russell Westbrook was uncharacteristically quiet with 12 points.

Dirk Nowitzki did his best to at least help his team to one win in front of the home crowd with 34 points, but he was bizarrely ineffective in the final minutes, missing shots he hit with frightening regularity last year. Just like the Mavs swept the reigning champion Lakers out of last year's playoffs, the Thunder did the same to them, which OKC fans have to consider a good omen for a team with championship-or-bust type expectations. Kidd was the Mavericks' second-best offensive player with 16 points, seven rebounds and eight assists, but he was too old and too slow on defense to contend with Harden, which was the real difference in the game.

For all news and information regarding the Dallas Mavericks, please visit Mavs Moneyball for check out SB Nation Dallas. For updates and perspective on the Oklahoma City Thunder, head on over to Welcome to Loud City.

PHOTO: Mavericks Fan's Sign Puts Team In No-Lose Position

Want to tell your favorite team that there's no pressure no matter what they do? Put together a sign like this Dallas Mavericks fan did on Saturday night.

For all news and information regarding the Dallas Mavericks, please visit Mavs Moneyballor check out SB Nation Dallas. For updates and perspective on the Oklahoma City Thunder, head on over to Welcome to Loud City.

Kendrick Perkins Injury: Thunder Center Leaves Game Vs. Mavericks With Hip Strain

The Oklahoma City Thunder will have to try to sweep the Dallas Mavericks in their 2012 NBA Playoffs first round series without their starting center. Kendrick Perkins suffered a right hip strain early in the first quarter and will not return for the rest of the game, TNT sideline reporter Mardy Snider reported on the broadcast.

While Perkins is not a major offensive threat, his defense and toughness helps define the Thunder's identity. It's not a loss on the caliber of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook or James Harden, but it is something that will affect Oklahoma City going forward. It remains unclear when Perkins suffered the injury.

With Perkins sidelined, the Thunder will rely more on backup Nick Collison to man the position. Veteran Nazr Mohammad will likely also play more after being out of the rotation for the first three games of the playoffs.

For all news and information regarding the Dallas Mavericks, please visit Mavs Moneyball or check out SB Nation Dallas. For updates and perspective on the Oklahoma City Thunder, head on over to Welcome to Loud City.

Jason Terry Takes Superstition To Its Deranged Limits

NBA Playoffs 2012, Mavericks Vs. Thunder Game 4: Game Time, TV Schedule And More

The Oklahoma City Thunder are just one win away from advancing to the second round of the 2012 NBA Playoffs. The defending champion Dallas Mavericks will try to stay alive for at least one more game.

Thunder Vs. Mavericks: Rick Carlisle's Cry For Help And The Moment The Torch Was Passed

When did the Thunder know they broke the Mavericks' spirit? When Rick Carlisle tried a lineup combination he never would have tried in any other circumstance.

Heat And Mavericks, Foes In 2011 Finals, Heading Opposite Directions In 2012

The Heat are up 3-0 in their series with New York, while the Mavericks are down 0-3 against Oklahoma City in a reversal of fortunes for last year's NBA Finalists. When Dallas chose not to re-sign key players like Tyson Chandler and J.J. Barea, it was admitting that rebuilding was more important than defending the title. Meanwhile, Miami is just getting stronger as the Heat's three stars evolve together.

NBA Playoffs 2012, Mavericks Vs. Thunder Game 3: Game Time, TV Schedule And More

The Dallas Mavericks hung with the Oklahoma City Thunder in their first two games of the series on the road, but they come home with nothing to show for it. Thursday is a virtual must-win for Dallas.

Thunderwhelming: Is Oklahoma City In Trouble Against The Mavericks?

The Thunder are up 2-0 in their series with the Mavericks after two home wins, but the victories have been far from convincing. Kevin Durant has shot under 40 percent in each of the first two games, and when Durant struggles the Thunder are vulnerable.

Mavericks Vs. Thunder: Dallas Fans Give Up Hope After Falling Again Monday Night

The Oklahoma City Thunder have allowed the Dallas Mavericks to hang in for quite awhile during the first two games of their seven-game series, but the final scoreboard has ended up in the favor of Kevin Durant's team on both occasions thus far. That's bad news for the aging Mavs and, according to their fans, it might be difficult to get out of the hole.

Dirk Nowitzki has been known to perform miracles in the past, but our friends over at Mavs Moneyball believe that Monday night's loss may have been the final nail in the coffin for Dallas' chances this season.

So like I mentioned above, I have to think that's it for the Mavericks. They'll get a game at home, but it's hard to see them recover from two emotionally draining losses like that, decided by a combined total of four points. I'm not counting them out just yet, because if any team can overcome adversity like this, it's a veteran team who still are the defending champions. These games certainly have shown that the Mavericks CAN beat the Thunder. But I don't have too much hope. Prove me wrong, damnit. I don't want basketball to be over for quite a while.

It's never good when the fanbase gives up hope with a potential five games left in the series, but it's tough to blame anyone for believing the Mavs may have already dug themselves too deep of a hole by not overcoming obstacles and taking at least one of two seemingly winnable games.

For all news and information regarding the Dallas Mavericks, please visit Mavs Moneyball. For all updates and perspective regarding the Oklahoma City Thunder, head on over to Welcome to Loud City.

Thunder Vs. Mavericks, NBA Playoffs 2012 Game 2: OKC Holds On For 102-99 Win

On Monday night, the Dallas Mavericks were once again in enemy territory against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder held a 1-0 lead in their NBA playoffs matchup heading into Tuesday night's game against the defending NBA champions and were looking to move one step closer to the second round. It was a close one, but the Thunder were able to do just that, winning by a final score of 102-99 and going up 2-0 in the series.

The animosity between the two teams was apparent from the outset as both sides shoved and squabbled. The actual gameplay was just as intense, and the close contest was hard-fought right down to the end.

The Thunder held a lead for most of the first half, but the Mavs battled back in the second half and took a slim lead into the final minute, but a foul on Kevin Durant with 0:50 left put the Thunder back on top, 98-97. Dirk Nowitzki missed a 12-footer with 27 seconds remaining and the Thunder grabbed the rebound. James Harden sank both free throws to give OKC a three-point lead with just 25 seconds left.

Jason Terry put in a layup to cut the lead back to one point, but Harden again nailed his free throws. Terry had two chances to be the hero in the final seconds with a pair of desperation three-point attempts, but neither one fell. As you can see in the video below, he got his best look on the first attempt after pump-faking his defender, but it hit the front of the rim. The second attempt was more contested -- and came a few feet behind the arc -- but hit the heel of the rim.

Nowitzki had 31 points and six rebounds in the losing effort. Russell Westbrook put up 29 points for the Thunder while Durant had 26 points and 10 boards.

For all news and information regarding the Dallas Mavericks, please visit Mavs Moneyball. For all updates and perspective regarding the Oklahoma City Thunder, head on over to Welcome to Loud City.

Mavericks vs. Thunder, Game 2 Halftime Score: OKC Leads Dallas 57-50 Despite Dirk

Dirk Nowitzki Dirked the Mavs back from a seemingly scary deficit to make it manageable, but the Thunder are ahead 57-50 at the break.

It was pretty much all clicking for the Thunder: as is typical, Russell Westbrook had 15 points and Kevin Durant had 14. But then other stuff happened, as even role players chipped in with some offense. Kendrick Perkins had nine points -- and got into a little scuffle with Nowitzki -- while Derek Fisher hit some jumpers, including one with the clock expiring on the first quarter, and finished with eight. Those performances gave the Thunder a 16-point lead early in the second quarter.

But the Mavs fought back. Nowitzki had the typical Dirk stuff as well as some tough drives to the rim to cut the lead to as little as six. Jason Terry hit a three on the Mavs' last possession to cut the halftime lead to seven.

For more on tonight's NBA action, stick with this storystream. For another perspective on the Mavs and Thunder, check out Mavs Moneyball and Welcome to Loud City.

VIDEO: Dirk Nowitzki And Kendrick Perkins Scuffle

The Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder have not wasted any time getting in one another's faces during Monday night's NBA playoff game in Oklahoma.

In the first quarter, Dirk Nowitzki took exception to Serge Ibaka gently touching his face while he attempted a jumper. Nowitzki spent some time jawing with Ibaka following the play, which Ibaka shrugged off because it was largely incidental contact and Nowitzki has a history of enjoying loudly complaining about things. On the ensuing Thunder possession, however, Nowitzki got into an unnecessary shoving match with Kendrick Perkins under the boards and tempers flared over, earning both men a technical foul for their troubles. See the whole sequence of events in the video below.

Tempers certainly won't be cooling off any time soon, as this series still has a long way to go.

For all news and information regarding the Dallas Mavericks, please visit Mavs Moneyball. For all updates and perspective regarding the Oklahoma City Thunder, head on over to Welcome to Loud City.

NBA Playoffs 2012, Thunder Vs. Mavericks Game 2: Game Time, TV Schedule And More

Kevin Durant's game-winning shot gave the Oklahoma City Thunder a 1-0 series lead over the Dallas Mavericks heading into Monday's Game 2.

VIDEO: Kevin Durant Nails Game-Winner As Thunder Edge Mavericks In Game 1

Kevin Durant didn't have a great Game 1 in the Oklahoma City Thunder's first-round NBA Playoffs series against the Dallas Mavericks. Well, the first 47 minutes, 53 seconds weren't so great. The last seven ticks? Oh so perfect.

Durant hit the off-balance mid-range jumper (with rim and glass!) with time winding down to give the Thunder a 99-98 lead. The man who contested the shot well, Shawn Marion, couldn't get a shot off at the other end as Dallas was out of timeouts. Game, Blouses.

With the make, Durant shot 10-27 for the game, far from his typical efficiency. Luckily, Russell Westbrook (28 points on 13-23) and James Harden (19 points on seven field goal attempts!) were potent enough on offense to get the Thunder into a position in which one of the best players in the world could shoot for the victory.

For more on the Thunder, visit Welcome To Loud City.

2012 NBA Playoffs, Thunder Vs. Mavericks Final Score: Kevin Durant's Game-Winner Sinks Dallas

The Dallas Mavericks had done everything in their power to thwart the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of their Western Conference Quarterfinals series, including having Dirk Nowitzki get them the lead with less than 10 seconds to play.

Then Kevin Durant hit a game-winner that NBA fans will see for years and years.

Durant, who struggled all night, threw up a prayer from the free throw line that hit the rim, kissed the backboard, and fell in to give the Thunder a 99-98 victory. It gave him 25 points on the night (on 10-for-27 shooting), and gave Oklahoma City a 1-0 lead in the series.

Dallas controlled most of the game, leading for most of the fourth quarter and keeping Durant in check. But the spring-legged Thunder played suffocating defense in the dying throes of the fourth quarter and closed on a 14-6 run.

Russell Westbrook led all scorers with 28 points, and Serge Ibaka had 22 points and five blocks for OKC. Dallas got 25 points from Nowitzki, and 20 from Jason Terry, but Terry was held scoreless in the fourth quarter as the Thunder turned up the defensive pressure.

Game 2 of the series will be Monday night in Oklahoma City. If it's anything like the thrilling Game 1, it will be somewhere between must-see and can't-miss.

For more on the Thunder, visit SB Nation's Thunder blog Welcome to Loud City. For more on the Mavericks, visit SB Nation's Mavs Moneyball and SB Nation Dallas. For more on the 2012 NBA Playoffs check out SB Nation's dedicated NBA hub.

PROJECTION: Mavericks Are Toast Vs. Thunder

Thunder Vs. Mavericks Schedule: Playoffs' First Round Sees Conference Finals Rematch In West

Fans won't have to wait long at all to see a rematch of the 2011 Western Conference Finals as the first round of the 2012 NBA Playoffs will feature the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Dallas Mavericks. Oklahoma City, who fell to the No. 2 seed in the West after leading the conference for much of the season, will be the favorites this time around as Dallas is wounded compared to last season's playoff matchup. But when Dirk Nowitzki is in action, anything is possible.

Thunder vs. Mavericks tips off on Saturday. Here is the schedule as released by the NBA. All times are Eastern.

Game 1 - Sat., April 28 at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 2 - Mon., April 30 at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Thu., May 3 at Dallas, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 4 - Sat., May 5 at Dallas, 7:30 p.m., TNT
Game 5 - Mon., May 7 at Oklahoma City
Game 6 - Thu., May 10 at Dallas
Game 7 - Sat., May 12 at Oklahoma City, TNT

For more on the Thunder, visit Welcome To Loud City. For more on the Mavericks, visit Mavs Moneyball and SB Nation Dallas.