Story lines galore.

At the forefront, you had rumors of Russell Westbrook feuding with Kevin Durant.

Even better, the defending champs were trying to avoid an 0-3 start.

Furthermore, it was a Western Conference Finals rematch, a meeting between two of the most exciting clubs in the Association — and it didn’t disappoint.

The game came down to the wire — like it did a few times this past May.

Back-and-forth entertainment, basketball at its finest, it gave us one of the most improbable and unlikely clutch shots from an unlikely source — Vince Carter — who hit a go-ahead three-point shot off of a Dirk Nowitzki pass with 1.4 seconds left to put Dallas up 102-101.

Next, it was an improbable clutch shot at its highest degree of difficulty, yet, from a likely source — Kevin Durant — who made the game-winning buzzer-beating fadeaway three-point shot to give OKC a 104-102 thrilling triumph.

Last year’s champs are now 0-3, while last year’s Western Conference runner-ups are 4-0.

Durant had 30 points, giving him his fourth straight 30-point night to start the 2011-12 campaign.

For the Mavs, Nowitzki led the team with 29 points.

Just like it was a crazy end to the game, it was also a crazy offensive night for the Thunder, who turned the ball over 26 times — leading to 33 Dallas points.

Westbrook had seven turnovers, but also had seven points in the final 3:16 of the game. Durant and Kendrick Perkins had six apiece.

The Mavs shot the ball 27 more times than Oklahoma City, who were an astounding 58.7% from the field.

This game had it all, including six technical fouls, but not to be outdone by the final 4:45 of the best game of the season so far.

At that point in the game, Jason Terry hit a three-point shot to give the Mavs their first lead of the fourth quarter, 91-89.

Next, James Harden, who had 15 points off the bench, for his fourth game to start the season in double figures scoring, hit two free throws to tie the game at 91-91.

The following possession led to a fastbreak dunk by Westbrook, who finished the play with a free-throw to complete an and-one after the foul by Terry.

With the Thunder up 94-91, Carter hit his first big jumper, this one from 18-feet away.

Westbrook followed Carter’s shot with a pullup mid-range J of his own, giving OKC the 96-93 edge with 2:40 left.

After a pair of Terry misses and a Westbrook misfire, Dirk got the ball in his hands and hit a 3 to tie the game at 96-all.

Durant then came into the picture, knocking down a 16-foot shot, and then a technical free throw complimentary of Nowitzki.

Following the freebie, Westbrook made it a five-point possession, cashing in on another mid-range jumper to give the Thunder a 101-96 lead with 46 ticks remaining.

Yet, the Mavs would not die.

Jason Terry hit a three, Durant missed a shot, Serge Ibaka bricked two free throws, and then that set the stage for the guy they used to call “Vinsanity.”

Carter, who came off the bench for Delonte West (15 points) in this game, connected one a wide-open three after Dirk drew the double-team and kicked the ball out.

With the Mavs up 102-101, everyone knew who was going to get the ball next with 1.4 seconds to go.

After a timeout, a well-executed play called for “Durantula” had him come off a series of screens to catch and fire on a 28-foot jumper as he was fading away from the hoop from left to right — it was money — sending the Oklahoma City faithful home in a frenzy.

Mavs Next Game: Friday December 30 vs. Toronto Raptors, 7:30 CT.