Dallas Mavericks Still Four Games From Shaving; Oklahoma City Thunder Third Team to 50 Wins

The Dallas Mavericks have had a tough season, but as motivation many of them pledged not to shave until the team cracked .500 again. Being under that mark is something the veterans are not accustomed to hence the desire and urgency to get back above. Sunday they had a chance to get within two games of .500, but they would have to get through a very tough Oklahoma City Thunder team to do so. They had a mark of their own they wanted to reach--the 50 win plateau. Only one could be successful. Any guesses who it was? In the first half it really appeared as if the Mavericks were going to be able to keep their own personal March Madness going. Prior to Sunday's game they were 6-2 in March, and appeared to be on track to crack .500. With a tough road to go the last two weeks of the month every win counts. When they were able to go into the half down by one they had to feel pretty good. After they played the third and were still just down by one  and with momentum (anytime a less talented team is hanging with a more talented one I'd say they have momentum) it was looking good for Dallas. Then Kevin Durant took over. The former Texas Longhorn scored 19 of the Thunder's 34 (and his 31) in the period to put an end to the Mavericks hoped for an upset and being able to shave by the end of the week. ''They just made more plays down the stretch,'' Dallas center Elton Brand said. ''We had Durant under control for about 75 percent of the game. He just came up big.'' Well, that 25 percent they didn't sure was a pretty big 25 percent. Oklahoma City earned win No. 50 with the 107-101 win over the Mavericks becoming the third team this season to break that barrier behind the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat. While the road ahead is a tough one for the Mavericks with six of their next seven against playoff bound teams all but one game is at home (Monday night's game is in Atlanta). Should they be able to win in Atlanta and then defeat Brooklyn and Boston next Monday's game against the Jazz will be the pivotal game to bring the Mavs back to .500.