Even without important pieces like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and Dereck Lively II, both teams' role players simmered the beef between the ball clubs. The usually well-mannered Thunder were hit with multiple technical fouls. PJ Washington continued to poke the bear.

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.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 134-114 home win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday in a matchup between the two teams with the NBA's best records.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to an easy home win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.

Eight days later, the Thunder prepared to use their homecourt advantage to get their lick back against the Cavs. You know how the old saying goes: “Revenge is a dish best served a little over a week later.