Road to the O'Brien: Thunder Vs Mavericks West Semi-Finals Matchup

ANAHEIM, CA MAY 04, 2024

Best Series Yet?

Boy are we in for a treat with this one. The Final Western Conference Semi-Finals Series has been set after Luka and the Mavericks sent the Los Angeles Clippers to Cancun after 6 games. As a fan of James Harden, I would've loved to see him succeed and win a ring, but this is Luka's year to win the West. To give the Clippers their flowers they were short Kawhi Leonard.

The Oklahoma City Thunder on the other hand have yet to lose a game this playoff-run. Coming off a series sweep off the Zionless New Orleans Pelicans. The Thunder have been awaiting their semi-finals matchup for a while now, so hopefully that young Thunder team stays hot, and hopefully this Mavericks team isn't too tired from the Clippers series for this treat of a series set to start on Tuesday May 7th.

THE MATCHUPS

POINT GUARD MATCHUP: DONCIC V GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER

You would expect Luka Doncic to be on an absolute tear, well he is just not as impressive. You would expect to see him put up Jalen Brunson-type numbers this playoff run, but he is not 100% there yet. Luka is carrying this Mavericks team, with some help from Kyrie Irving. Luka is currently averaging 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 and half assists a game. Would you expect Luka to lead his team this playoff run in those categories? Probably. Although he is playing well, his efficiency isn't all there, currently shooting 40% from the field and (surprisingly) 23% from three. Luka will easily find his shot again, with a less-experienced and young Thunder roster, and hopefully he cracks triple-double averages this series. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the other hand, is kind of in the same boat as Luka, but with slightly better efficiency and lower points, rebounds, and assists a night. With 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists a game averages on a 47% field-goal percentage and shooting 29% from three. Shai hasn't been playing as well as he did in the regular season mainly scoring less. But both of these players are the reasons their teams move on. This is the best matchup this year's playoffs will see. Luka takes it to another level against this inexperienced Thunder roster. I'm taking Luka over Gilgeous-Alexander.

SHOOTING GUARD MATCHUP: IRVING V GIDDEY

Luka's safety, Kyrie Irving. This Mavericks team isn't here after 6 games in that Clippers series without this man. Currently scoring 26 and a half points a game on outstanding efficiency, shooting 51% from the field and 45% from three. He's also doing his part defensively averaging close to 2 steals a night, and leading the Mavericks this playoff run this playoff run. There's not much to say about Kyrie, he has playing extremely well and is looking like the 2016 Cavaliers version of himself, blossoming in the clutch. We have mixed feelings about Mr. Josh Giddey here. But ultimately, he's scoring 12 points a night on great efficiency form three at 50%. This is a clear decision, Irving over Giddey easily.

SMALL FORWARD MATCHUP: JONES JR. V DORT

This is the most balanced matchup between these lineups. Both players are scoring on great efficiency with the small sample sizes they both get. Luguentz Dort is primarily known for his defensive efforts hasn't been very prominent, Derrick Jones Jr. has been doing that for the Mavericks, leading the team in blocks this playoff-run with a block and a half a night. With that I would give Jones Jr. the upper hand, but I truly believe these are equal players.

POWER FORWARD MATCHUP: WASHINGTON V WILLIAMS

PJ Washington has been playing good this playoff run. He is the third leading scorer for the Mavericks this playoff run with 10 points a night, but has been playing very well defensively with over a block and a steal a game. Jalen Williams has been much better though. Averaging 21 points, being the Thunder's 2nd leading scorer this playoff-run, and also the 2nd best for the Thunder in assists and rebounds as well, not to mention his team-leading close to 2 steals a game all on excellent shooting splits. Easily taking JDub over PJ.

CENTER MATCHUP: GAFFORD V HOLMGREN

I believe Dereck Lively should be starting this series, but according to the Mavericks depth chart, Gafford is the starter. Daniel Gafford has not been playing all too well for the Mavericks, only shooting 46% from the field and only grabbing 3 rebounds a night from your center isn't the best look for Dallas. Chet Holmgren continues to dominate on the defensive side leading the league in blocks a game with 2.8 in this year's playoffs is a great sight to see. Not to mention also being the Thunder's leading rebounder, and 3rd best scorer with 15 points a night. It's clear to take Chet here.

BENCH MATCHUP: MAVERICKS V THUNDER

If I'm going to be honest, neither bench has been great this playoff-run. If I'm going based off pure talent, I'm easily giving it to the Thunder. There's no deeper team than them. The Mavericks heavily rely on Irving and Doncic, so the bench doesn't have much but Lively to show off really. Easily taking OKC's bench.

OVERALL SERIES: MAVERICKS WIN IN 7 GAMES

I see Luka leading this Mavericks team to the Finals. I see an excellent series ahead of us, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren bringing their absolute best but Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic taking full advantage of this young inexperienced roster. But the Mavericks heavily rely on those two to succeed. One bad game from Luka, Kyrie may pick up after him, but if he doesn't there's no Maverick on that roster that will step up. SGA and the Thunder do. This will easily be the "true" NBA finals if you ask me.