Thursday Morning Roundup

DB.com's Morning Donuts
"We're solving things out on the court as we go. We're talking, positive, and if something happens negative, somebody's there to jump on them. We're not criticizing, it's just that we need everybody. ... We got so many guys. Guys are used to getting 10 or 15 shots in rhythm. Tonight, you might get five. But that doesn't mean you're not important. We're going to need you. And we might need you to take 15 tomorrow. And make 10." In other words, as Rick Carlisle likes to say: "Be ready.''

Mavs 100, OKC 86: No Pink Slips For Dallas | Mike Fisher - DB.com
Nowitzki finished 13-of-18 for 35 points (the ninth time this year he�s gone 30-plus.) He did it inside (where he got 11 rebounds, meaning this is also his ninth double-double of the season), he did it outside (that rafter-rubbing 3-pointer with 1:43 left sent Dallas up by 10 and send the Oklahomans trudging out of the Ford Center) and he did it at the line (7-of-8, including a continuation of his crazy-clutch fourth-quarter/OT work, as he's now 55-of-55 at the line this season during those moments.)

Where It's At? Picking up the pace | Jeff Wade ESPNDallas
The Mavs really picked up the pace in the fourth quarter and held the Thunder to eight points in the final five minutes while Jason Kidd was directing the Mavericks offense with prime efficiency, turning a close game into a solid 14-point victory. But the Mavs have had lots of great defensive play in the second half recently. Holding opponents below 40-percent shooting in the period has been the norm since the New Jersey game. Only Phoenix has been able to fight through the Mavs' stingy final 24 efforts during that span to do damage.

Dallas Mavericks weather Thunder's storm for 100-86 win | Eddie Sefko - DMN
They ran their winning streak to a season-best-tying five and own a shiny 10-4 road record. And they did it with perseverance, defense and aggression against a good, young, energetic team. "This team sticks together," J.J. Barea said. "Last year in a game like this, we probably would have gotten down on ourselves. This could have gone the other way, too. But we stuck with it."