2012 NBA Playoffs - (2) Thunder vs. (7) Mavs - (2-0 OKC)

[cookie monster]

Mavs in 6

[iver]

Mavs will take it in 7. I see Dirk and Vince showing up and Westbrook going out of control with jumpshots and turnovers.

[Brt19]

With this series, Thunder is the most unsecure home court adventage team. Mavericks know how to play, the question is whether they've got energy or not. Brooks' performance might be positive for Mavs.

Mavs in 7.

[Panathinaikos]

Thunder in 5

[JayCarroll]

It's funny how everyone but Mavs fans are declaring that the Mavs are going to win.

We are all seriously underestimating OKC. I think it's going to be a really epic series. the homer in me says Mavs in 7, but I'd go OKC in 6 as the real bet.

It's weird, I wanted Dallas to avoid this matchup just because it seems like we have no luck against them this year. Either the officiating goes haywire or we just don't show up. With that said, I'm going down with the ship. Same prediction in every series Dallas plays: Mavs in six.

[mysticbb]

The Thunder over the course of the season were pretty clearly working better as a team than the Mavericks. If we go by the average performance level of each team against all teams, that series should be won by the Thunder. Two things are speaking against the Thunder here: First, the matchups are in favor of the Mavericks. With West against Westbrook and Marion against Durant, the Mavericks have the right players to keep them in check. That means Harden must beat his opponent constantly. But in this season he will not go up against Terry and take him to school with his height and strength advantage, but against Carter, who can match the size and strength. The frontcourt of the Thunder does not scare the Mavericks at all. Neither Perkins nor Ibaka nor Collison can make something happen offensively. The Mavericks will be fine defensively with all of their frontcourt players they have next to Nowitzki (Haywood, Mahinmi, Wright). The defense of the Thunder is questionable, and as soon as the Mavericks can have their ball movement going, they will score their points. Too illustrate that, we can use some data from this season. During the time Durant and Nowitzki were on the court at the same time, the Mavericks outscored the Thunder by 7 points per 48 minutes. The lineups with 5+ minutes over the last 2 seasons against the Thunder outscored them in average by 7.7 points per 100 possessions (only possible lineups in the playoffs this season). The Thunder on the other end for all those lineups were outscored by 1.4 per 100 possessions. So, the most used lineups against each other as well as the time when both teams best players were on the court at the same time really speaks for the Mavericks.

When the Mavericks are staying healthy and play to their strength, they can beat the Thunder. In that case the Mavericks will likely win in 6.

[bastillon]

mysticbb, you're putting too much stock in Carter's defensive abilities or lack there of, if you think he's remotely capable of stopping Harden.

[hourockman]

James Harden will not let the Thunder lose. Thunder in five.

Even with the kneeconcussion.

[RocketPower23]

Nice post mysticbb. Dallas hasn't had the same cohesion that OKC has had all year, however the matchups do play in their favor, should be interesting either way.

[blind prophet]

I am taking top seeds/home court in every series except this one.

Mavs in 6,

Funny how many dismiss the champs for a bunch of kids.

[inquisitive]

Tough series....OKC in 7

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

The poll is at 55 percent favoring with the Thunder and 45% favoring the Mavs.

I think time is catching up to Dirk. OTOH, Brandan Wright is just coming into his own. He and Marion are playing pretty high level defense. Vince Carter is probably done after this but his legs still have some spring in them.

For OKC things are interesting. How is Harden? He was playing about as well as Durant and better than Westbrook at the end of the season. Unfortunate timing for him to get the concussion. I will assume he's okay for the playoffs and that OKC will finish what they started last season. I can't see the Thunder going out in round one. Not gonna happen.

OKC in 6, because I don't think Dirk and Terry can carry them any farther and guys like Wright and Beubois aren't ready to win in the playoffs. Ibaka should be huge for OKC and I think Dirk will have a tough playoffs.

[red_power]

Mavericks looks terrible after all-star break and half of their team sits on suitcases. OKC in 6, only because they isn't in best shape right now.

[choppermagic]

OKC has had a great year and their parts work well together. I am not sure DAL can match that this year. Dirk would have to go back in to God-mode from last year to make it a toss up. I dont think that happens. DAL was close to missing the POs entirely a few weeks ago. I also wonder if Harden is looking forward to facing MWP in Rd two if they advance too ha ha

[Spanish_Laker]

OKC in 7, but it will come down to the wire, every game will be a hard-fought battle. Dirk and Terry will show up again in the playoffs, but Ibaka's defensive presence will be the X-Factor for the Thunder.

[bigball123]

Toss up.

[bbms]

Thunder in 5.

[DefenseWins]

If the Mavs kept Chandler and Odom was himself and stayed with the Mavs, I would have picked Mavs in 6.

OKC hasn't ended this season well, luckily for them they will get rest because they didn't rest during the regular season.

So many questions and factors in this series... I think it will rest if Dirk goes ham though.

But... OKC in 7.

[bbms]

ohhhh this'll be good. IMO best 1st round series;

1. This
2. Clips/Grizz
3. Heat/Knicks

Heat Knicks is a sweep for me.

[yowyOw]

Bold prediction, Mavs in 7

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