The Dallas Mavericks will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder this Tuesday in the Western Conference Semifinals series. For the Mavs, it’s an opportunity for Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to right some shortcomings from a disappointing 2022/23 season. On the other hand, the Thunder are looking to establish themselves as a legitimate threat to win it all. It has the makings to be a very close and tight knit series with stars playing big roles throughout.
- Series Start Date: Tuesday, May 7 | Time: 9:30 PM EST
- Location: Paycom Center – Oklahoma City
- TV Channel: TNT
- Odds: OKC -3.5; O/U 218 per DraftKings Sportsbook
Dallas Mavericks Overview
When Kyrie Irving was traded to the Mavs near the trade deadline last year, there was a lot of excitement in Dallas. With the potential of Luka Doncic and Kyrie in the backcourt together it was quite a thrilling time, yet it just never came together. The Mavs missed the playoffs with a 38-44 record. Some thought as a result that Irving would move on as he was in the final year of his contract. But Kyrie decided to sign a three-year deal to remain in Dallas and this year something has clicked into place.
Irving averaged 25.6 ppg while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field. And it hasn’t taken away from Doncic one bit, if anything it’s made him better. Averaging 33.9 ppg, 9.8 assists and 9.2 rebounds- Luka magic has been on full display this season.
Dallas is coming off a four-two series win against the Clippers in the first round. After losing game one, they won four out of the next five to move on. When the Mavs get going offensively, they can be tough to stop. They can also hurt you defensively, as trade deadline acquisition PJ Washington has been a stud who showed he can handle tough assignments like Paul George.
Oklahoma City Thunder Overview
At the beginning of the season, we had the Thunder finishing 44-38 and squeaking into the playoffs as the seven seed in a loaded Western Conference. While the West was indeed loaded, Oklahoma City showed that they could handle the load- even as the youngest team in the NBA. Finishing with a record of 57-25, the Thunder earned the one seed.
With many questionings of how they would handle their first playoff series since 2020, OKC promptly swept the New Orleans Pelicans. Showcasing their offensive fluidity mixed with defensive toughness, the Thunder look like a legit one seed that could give any NBA team fits.
Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, the Thunder can slash and gash teams to death at the rim- and it’s not just a two man show. OKC is like a faucet with five spouts. You can try to clog up one or maybe two, but when you do, water will just come pouring out of the others. Chet Holmgren is only a rookie and already has an elite level of toughness for his stature. Lu Dort can hit big threes and lock up any team’s best offensive option. Josh Giddey has even shown that he can be a force at times.
A series against the Mavericks is a big test for the Thunder. The only major weakness in OKC’s game is the youth and inexperience of the roster. However, they are playing like a team who is more mature than they led on to be. And let’s not forget that Lu Dort was on the 2020 bubble team who made the playoffs.
Mavericks v. Thunder Prediction
As for the Mavericks and Thunder series prediction, these are two teams playing great basketball right now. The Mavericks have turned it on more since the trade deadline, while the Thunder have been rolling nonstop all season. I think it’s going to be close for the first two games in OKC and the Thunder are going to get their first real taste of a good team in a heightened playoff atmosphere. So, I think they split the first two games at home.
Then in Dallas I think both teams start to get comfortable, and the coaching chess match starts to show itself between Mark Daignault and Jason Kidd. Also, Luka or Kyrie is bound to have a huge game in front of a home crowd. Yet, I still think the Thunder nab one and they split in Dallas and go back to OKC two-two.
Then I think the Thunder rally behind SGA and take game five. And with all of the pressure on Luka and the Mavs going back to Dallas, OKC capitalizes and moves on to their first Western Conference Finals appearance since the end of the Kevin Durant-era in 2016.
Prediction: Thunder in Six
Click Here for More Basketball Content
Visit Our Job Opportunities Page
Like Us on Facebook