Can’t Miss NBA Playoffs 1st Round Matchup: Mavericks vs. Thunder

There are plenty of matchups that will turn heads in this year’s playoffs, but no other first round matchup promises more intrigue than the two-versus-seven series in the Western Conference, a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Finals.

The defending champion Dallas Mavericks will look to upset the up and coming force that is the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Mavericks defeated the Thunder in five games in the Western Conference Finals last year; however, NBA analysts are not so sure history will repeat itself this time.

The Thunder have home court advantage in the series and are ready to prove themselves on a national stage. Oklahoma City has been an elite team all season with a stellar lineup that features the likes of MVP candidate Kevin Durant, all-star guard Russell Westbrook, as well as James Harden and Kendrick Perkins.

The Mavs, on the other hand, struggled throughout the beginning of the season to eventually rebound. Now that Dirk Nowitzki, Tyson Chandler, Jason Kidd and Jason Terry are on the same page, they might just shock each of us again and go the distance.

On Saturday, Durant hit a game winning jumper near the foul line with 1.5 seconds left to give the Thunder a 99-98 victory in Game 1.

One thing we know to be true – especially if Game 1 of this series is any indication – that this one will be exciting to the finish.