Oklahoma City Thunder notebook: Perry Jones III getting comfortable

Jones filled in for an injured Hasheem Thabeet (sore back) and made four of five shots in 11 minutes, 14 seconds. It was the most field goals he's made in a game.

“I felt comfortable thanks to the vets talking to me and getting me ready,” Jones said after the game. “They knew Hash wasn't playing before I did. So they've definitely been preparing me since shootaround (Friday).”

Jones has played in just 33 games this season, with no more than 19 minutes in any contest. His career high is nine points but he holds averages of 2.2 points, 1.5 rebounds in 7.1 minutes.

Each opportunity, though, has helped boost Jones' confidence.

“All the time,” Jones said. “All I got to do is just go out there and be aggressive, defend and rebound. That's what coach is looking for, my activity.”

Thunder coach Scott Brooks said he “is very pleased” with Jones but added there aren't any minutes available in the rotation.

“He works to get better every day,” Brooks said. “He has a very bright future with us.”

MATCHING UP WITH THE MAVS

Dallas ranks seventh in 3-point field goal percentage at 37.1 percent and can get hot in a hurry from behind the arc.

The Mavs have been held to 21-for-60 shooting (35 percent) from 3-point range against the Thunder, but Dallas connected on 11 of 24 attempts in the first meeting.

That's why closing out on shooters Sunday will be critical.

“The biggest key is going to be stopping the pick and roll and getting back to cover out on their 3-point shooters,” said Kendrick Perkins. “They do a great job of spacing with a (shooting power forward) in Dirk (Nowitzki) and then you've got Vince Carter who's playing well. So we just got to make sure we just do all the little things.”