Luka vs. SGA.
It's the NBA's Red River Rivalry.
Thunder vs. Mavericks in the second round of the playoffs.
Oklahoma City is back in the Western Conference semifinals for the first time since 2016. That was the same year that Luka Doncic played his first NBA preseason game against the Thunder as a 17-year-old guard from Real Madrid.
Game 1 of the best-of-seven series will take place late Tuesday night (8:30 p.m. at Paycom Center on TNT).
Here are two reasons why OKC moves forward and two reasons why Dallas moves forward.
more:Mussatto: Why Thunder vs. Mavericks is the NBA rivalry we've been waiting for
Why the Thunder will win: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the Most Valuable Player of the Series
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander surpassed Luka Doncic to become the best player in the series.
Gilgeous-Alexander went from a “C” to a “C-” series against the Pelicans…and the Thunder still won by a landslide. OKC will get the MVP version of SGA against the Mavs.
Derrick Jones Jr. will likely guard Gilgeous-Alexander. Jones has emerged as a high-end defensive wing, but he's no Herb Jones. Lou Dort is more likely to contain Doncic than Derrick Jones Jr. will be against SGA.
The Thunder have a depth advantage. OKC's third best player is Chet Holmgren. Or Jalen Williams, depending on your order of preference. Dallas' third best player is…PJ Washington?
The Thunder were the better team during the regular season. OKC had a top-5 offense and a top-5 defense. Dallas ranked 8th in offense and 18th in defense.
Mark Daigneault has a coaching advantage over Jason Kidd. Unless he has to play one on one as a tiebreaker.
—Joe Moussatto, columnist
more:OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks predictions, odds: Who will win the NBA playoff series?
Why the Mavericks will win: Luka Doncic outperforms Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Luka Doncic surpassed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the best player in the series.
And Doncic + Irving > Gilgeous-Alexander + Jalen Williams.
The Mavs are being tested even more. Doncic appeared in 34 playoff games and led the Mavericks to the conference finals. Irving hit one of the greatest shots in playoff history.
Gilgeous-Alexander has played in 17 playoff games, but has never made it past the first round. And that means he has more playoff experience compared to his teammates.
The Mavericks are expected to target Josh Guidi on both ends of the floor. Guidi was great against the Pelicans, but the Mavericks will leave Guidi in the corner and take shots. That's the best hope of ruining the Thunder's offense.
—Joe Moussatto, columnist
more:Why OKC Thunder coach Mark Dynaud is 'resting' between rounds of NBA playoffs
Why the Thunder will win: Luka Doncic can't escape the 'torture chamber'
Few teams are better equipped to protect Dallas' Luka Doncic-Kyrie Irving duo than OKC. Lou Dort is an elite on-ball defender and Chet Holmgren is a strong rim protector.
Dallas has also been formidable defensively since adding Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington at the trade deadline. Still, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jaylen Williams will test the Mavericks' new frontcourt duo by attacking the rim.
OKC has depth as well, and I trust head coach Mark Daigneault more than Jason Kidd. Despite being a young team, the Thunder have the tools to win this series.
—Justin Martinez, Staff Writer
more:Who won the 2023-24 NBA Awards? Click here for the full voting results, including Coach of the Year
Why the Mavericks will win: Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic form a deadly 1-2 punch
OKC won the regular season series against Dallas 3-1. However, in the only game in which both Doncic and Irving played, the Mavericks won 146-111.
Dallas' improved defense is also a game-changer. The Mavericks ranked last in the NBA in opponent field goal percentage at the rim (70.6%) before the trade deadline. They ranked him No. 1 in that category in April (55.8%).
Dallas can now hold its own with OKC on both ends of the floor. Doncic and Irving, who both have postseason experience, could lead the way and pull off an upset.
—Justin Martinez, Staff Writer
more:Why OKC Thunder players are 'showing love' to Bally Sports side reporter Nick Gallo
Western Conference semifinals, Thunder vs. Mavericks
Thunder will face Mavericks in second round of NBA Playoffs:
- Game 1: Tuesday 8:30pm OKC (TNT)
- Game 2: Thursday 8:30 p.m., OKC (ESPN)
- Game 3: Saturday 2:30 p.m., Dallas (ABC)
- Game 4: Monday, May 13th, 8:30pm, Dallas (TNT)
- *-Game 5: TBA Wednesday, May 15, OKC (TNT)
- *-Game 6: Saturday, May 18, 7:30 p.m., Dallas (ESPN)
- *-Game 7: Monday, May 20th, 7:30pm, OKC (TNT)
