While competitors like the defending champion Dallas Mavericks have altered their rotations, the Oklahoma City Thunder is standing pat.
Kevin Durant scored 21 points and reserve James Harden added 16 to lead the Thunder to a 106-92 victory over the Mavericks on Sunday night in the preseason opener for both teams.
Lamar Odom, acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers in a trade on Dec. 11, had 14 points and seven rebounds in his Mavericks debut.
Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd, leaders of the Mavericks' title run, were in uniform and are healthy but were rested. Delonte West and Odom started in their place.
Dominique Jones and Roddy Beaubois took advantage of additional minutes to score 17 points apiece, pacing Dallas.
"(Nowitzki and Kidd) being out, we're not going to be the same team, but that's all right," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said. "We need to see other guys. Our philosophy is that when we're without any of our guys, the guys that are available need to get the job done. We weren't able to do it tonight."
The Mavs are working newcomers Odom, Vince Carter and West into their rotation, looking to make up for the losses of key rotation members Tyson Chandler, J.J. Barea and Caron Butler to trades or free agency.
The teams complete their two-game home-and-home exhibition set Tuesday night at Oklahoma City, and Nowitzki and Kidd are expected to play.
Carlisle said his primary goal in a short preseason is getting his veteran team into game shape.
"Our guys would benefit from a longer camp, but that's not in the cards," Carlisle said.
The Mavericks open the regular season on Christmas Day, hosting Miami, their opponent in the finals.
