One would assume that tonight’s game between the Dallas Mavericks and host Oklahoma City Thunder would be an ideal Western Conference showdown.

There’s a problem though, it’s not 2010, but rather the end of 2012. This isn’t our Mavericks of old with savvy veterans, a host of defenders and a healthy Dirk Nowitzki playing at an all-time high.

We have Dirk, Shawn Marion and Rick Carlisle. Over on their side still stands Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and head coach Scott Brooks. Swap out James Harden for Kevin Martin and the Thunder look relatively the same, but Dallas lurks as a former shell of itself.

No longer is there that rock of point guard stability named Jason Kidd. Kidd’s wisdom and post-prime talents are now at work for the Knicks. It only took Dirk’s 20 minute season debut to realize the drop in the mental advantage of his current point guards.

“Our basketball IQ obviously went down a little bit with J-Kidd leaving,” Nowitzki told reporters in San Antonio. “I think that’s pretty obvious.”

Obvious, you are correct Dirk. The lack of basic basketball smarts has outweighed the benefits of new youth and energy.

“Offensively, our decision-making has been brutal. We’re averaging 20 [turnovers] a night. It’s impossible to win, especially on the road.”

Dirk is used to playing on fundamentally sound veteran squads who have excelled away from home which always had the Mavs in the conversation as a top road team. They’re 4-12 this season.

The Mavs were blitzed in San Antonio 129-91, knocked out with some remarkable shooting from beyond. The Spurs connected on a franchise-record 20 three-pointers led by Danny Green’s six made and 25 points.

Now the task shifts an Oklahoma City team who even at 21-6 come into this one with an edge. The Thunder lost a highly contested NBA Finals rematch on Christmas day against the Miami Heat. Looking to rebound, OKC might feel Dallas is the perfect opponent to bounce back.

There’s no such thing as a perfect game in basketball, right?

You could get tricky and specific with details, but the point is our Mavs will have to be close to perfect to win tonight. The Thunder will feast on our turnovers and an overflow of easy baskets could swing this into a Red River massacre.

National television hasn’t been favorable for the Mavericks this season. Tonight’s game will be seen on TNT. In the five national TV games the Mavs are only 1-4. The lone win was opening night’s surprise 99-91 win against the LA Lakers.

The Mavs enter having lost three straight by double figures and each by an average of 21 points.

Dirk will continue to come off the bench for the Mavs as he gradually catches up to full game speed and conditioning.

Mavs at Thunder tips at 7:00 p.m. CT

We need a win to get Mavs Nation Rowdy, Loud and Proud! GoDallas!