Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: Live Blog, Analyis and Reaction

Winning on a game-winner from Kevin Durant, in a game where they had to earn every single basket, is exactly what the young OKC Thunder needed to start off the playoffs. 

For the majority of the matchup the Thunder looked like they were outclassed, out-manned and under-prepared.

Fortunately for the Thunder, they had one player named, Serge Ibaka, who was ready to to step up for the Thunder, and he did just that.

On the night, Ibaka had 22 points on 75 percent shooting, six rebounds and five blocks.

That performance doesn't clearly depict the kind of impact that Ibaka had on the game, as Ibaka consistently altered opponents shots and was a force in the paint on both sides of the ball.

The biggest problem for the Mavericks down the stretch was the fact that Jason Terry was rarely a part of their offensive rotation.

After going off for 17 points in the first half, Terry only hit one shot in the second half, and that was in large part due to the increased defensive pressure from Russell Westbrook.

Westbrook amped up his defensive game at the start of the second half, and while the Mav's offensive focus shifted to Nowitzki, who was able to carry the load, there's no doubt that Terry being out of the offensive rotation was just what the Thunder needed.

If we learned one thing tonight in Oklahoma City, it's that the Mavericks aren't ready to just lay down and die as the seventh seed in the Western Conference.

The Mavericks are ready to play at a high level, and compete with one of the youngest and most athletic teams in the NBA in the Thunder.

This one could very well go a full seven games, as both teams look ready to battle it out for every minute of the series.