Luka, Shai Battle For Conference Final Berth

We’re being spoiled in this matchup. It contains some of the best players to take the hardwood

this season. That includes two of the three NBA MVP finalists this season in Luka Doncic for the

Mavericks and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander representing the Thunder, each meeting the other for

the first time in the postseason. After Oklahoma City took the regular-season series 3-1, it brings the head-to-head regular season record between the MVP finalists to five a piece.

Dallas Defense

The Mavericks defense is going to be plenty busy in this series. They’re facing an Oklahoma

City squad that posted an average of 120.1 points through 82 regular season games. For

Dallas, they improved on their defensive play later in the season and through the first round.

The Mavs limited their first-round opponents in the Los Angeles Clippers to fewer than 95 points

in three games during the opening round. What makes this impressive is the fact that the

Clippers scored fewer than 95 points just three times during the regular season.

A Few Pointers

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic are each averaging nearly 30 points per game with

Doncic having surpassed that number in half of his six first-round contests this year.

Gilgeous-Alexander finished in the top five in terms of MVP voting last year and is now top

three. He leads the youngest team in NBA history to win a playoff round into this series. That

includes Rookie of the Year finalist Chet Holmgren and Lugentz Dort for the Thunder. On the

other side, Doncic is flanked by veteran star Kyrie Irving who has similarly posted at least 30

points in three of his last six games.

SERIES ODDS

Mavericks +110

Thunder -130

SEASON SERIES

While the Thunder may have taken the season series 3-1, the final game was on the last day of

the regular season. That’s significant as the Mavericks didn’t have their star players on the court

to show up and show out. With both squads not holding back, don’t be surprised if this series

goes the distance.

Dec. 2, 2023 Thunder 126 Mavericks 120

Feb. 10, 2024 Thunder 111 Mavericks 146

Mar. 14, 2024 Mavericks 119 Thunder 126

Apr. 14, 2024 Mavericks 86 Thunder 135

SERIES SCHEDULE

Game 1: Mavericks vs. Thunder, Tuesday, May 7

Game 2: Mavericks vs. Thunder, Thursday, May 9

Game 3: Thunder vs. Mavericks, Saturday, May 11

Game 4: Thunder vs. Mavericks, Monday, May 13

Game 5: Mavericks vs. Thunder, Tuesday, May 14 *

Game 6: Thunder vs. Mavericks, Saturday, May 18 *

Game 7: Mavericks vs. Thunder, Monday, May 20 *