The Dallas Mavericks bounced back from a three-game losing streak, including a controversial loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night. OKC entered the game tied for the NBA's best record and had just beaten the other team with the top record by 20 points.

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.

Irving is listed on the injury report as he continues to deal with a lumbar back sprain. Meanwhile, Dereck Lively II (right ankle sprain), Luka Doncic (left calf strain) and Dante Exum (right wrist surgery) are all out for Friday's game. It is worth noting that Mavs head coach Jason Kidd previously said he expects Irving to play on Friday.

Predictions, picks and odds as the OKC Thunder faces the Dallas Mavericks on the road Friday. Plus, injury updates and news.

The Dallas Mavericks got the upper hand on the Oklahoma City Thunder for the second time this season, though it was undermanned.

They say basketball is a game of runs, and the Dallas Mavericks (23-19) proved them right on Friday with a 106-98 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder (34-7) at American Airlines Center. The game featured eight runs between both teams that were 8-0 or larger.