George and Westbrook guide OKC to victory against Mavericks

Paul George scored 37 points, Russell Westbrook added 27, and the Oklahoma City Thunder were able to overcome the absence of two of their starters to defeat the Dallas Mavericks 112-99 on Sunday.

Carmelo Anthony was ruled out one hour before the game due to back pain, and center Steven Adams did not play due to a leg injury.

Without Anthony, the Thunder's other two superstars carried the offense, leading a 26-10 run in the third quarter that sealed the fate of a game that had been close.

Oklahoma City now has a record of 6-7, with their second consecutive victory after four straight losses.

Harrison Barnes recorded 22 points with 13 rebounds for the Mavericks, who have lost nine of their last 10 games. Puerto Rican player José Juan Barea contributed nine points.

Dallas faces a tough stretch in their schedule with back-to-back games against Cleveland and Oklahoma City, as well as matchups against San Antonio and Minnesota on the horizon.