The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers have had one of the most heated rivalries in the NBA over the past decade. The two teams have met in the playoffs three times since 2011, with the Clippers winning two of those series. The rivalry has been marked by some memorable moments, including a Game 7 that went to triple overtime in 2014.
The two teams are expected to meet again in the playoffs this year. The Clippers are the favorites, but the Mavericks have a chance to pull off an upset. Here's a look at the key players and storylines in the upcoming series.
The Clippers have a lot of firepower, led by Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Leonard is one of the best players in the league, and George is a perennial All-Star. The Clippers also have a strong supporting cast, including Marcus Morris Sr., Reggie Jackson, and Ivica Zubac.
The Mavericks have a young and talented team, led by Luka Dončić. Dončić is one of the most exciting young players in the league, and he has the potential to be a superstar. The Mavericks also have some other good players, including Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Dorian Finney-Smith.
There are a few key storylines to watch in this series.
This is the matchup that everyone will be watching. Dončić is a rising star, while Leonard is one of the best players in the league. It will be interesting to see how these two players match up against each other.
The Clippers have a deep bench, which could give them an advantage in this series. The Mavericks will need to find a way to slow down the Clippers' bench if they want to win.
The Clippers will have the home-court advantage in this series. This could be a big advantage, especially if the series goes to seven games.
The Clippers are the favorites, but the Mavericks are a dangerous team. This is a series that could go either way.
PredictionI think the Clippers will win this series in six games. They are the more experienced team, and they have a lot of firepower. However, the Mavericks are a young and hungry team, and they could pull off an upset.