NBA Playoffs: Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks series preview

The NBA’s website noted that the Los Angeles Clippers-Dallas Mavericks series will feature a combined 47 All-Star nods. The talent displayed in this pairing might be the most mouthwatering for NBA fans during the first round of the playoffs.

To get ready for the 4-5 matchup in the West, we’ll take a look at the Clippers-Mavericks series from several different angles. After that, we’ll take a stab at predicting which team will win the series, and in how many games. All statistics are sourced from Basketball Reference.

On paper, Los Angeles’ frontline is one of the best in the NBA, as it features Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. However, Clippers fans must be having feelings of déjà vu, as Leonard’s knee might cause him to be compromised heading into the playoffs for a second straight year. He missed the final eight games of the regular season due to the ailment.

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Perhaps no team bolstered their frontline as much as Dallas did during the trade deadline this season. The Mavericks brought in Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington to fortify their team, and both have played extremely well in the second half of the season. FanSided called the Gafford transaction the “perfect trade” for what Dallas needed at the time.

Of course, the final determination is dependent on Leonard’s availability and health heading into the postseason. If he’s able to return to elite form, Dallas will have a decision to make as it relates to playing a bigger lineup or a small one to match Leonard’s versatility on the perimeter.

Since being acquired by Los Angeles early in the 2023-2024 season, James Harden has accepted his role as a facilitator and distributor. He’ll need to continue to excel in that role, but there’s a chance he may pick up more of the scoring load if Leonard is hobbled by a knee injury. Terance Mann has been a reliable player for Los Angeles all season, and figures to have an impact defensively in this series.

NBA analyst Jamal Crawford told Fadeaway World that the backcourt of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic might be the most skilled pairing in NBA history. It’s hard to dispute that notion too vehemently when fans are captivating by the seemingly-magical abilities both bring to the floor. Irving has been locked in all-season, and there’s no reason to think that would change in the playoffs.

Harden’s ability is still something Dallas will have to prepare for, but it’s hard to go against Doncic in this setting in the prime of his career. Even if Doncic has an off night, or has defensive attention shaded his way, Irving can burn Los Angeles with his shooting and driving ability.

Lue helped lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to an NBA title in 2016 as their head coach, and has experience juggling a star-filled lineup at the most important times of the season. He was able to keep everyone happy in Los Angeles this year, namely by convincing Russell Westbrook to bring his unbridled energy off the bench. Andscape warned NBA fans “not to sleep on Lue’s greatness.”

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Kidd has done a tremendous job in his own right in Dallas this season, figuring out the right balance and utilization for Irving alongside Doncic. His most impactful decisions in this series might come at the power forward position, where Kidd will need to decide how he wants to slow Leonard down.

Lue’s track record is slightly better than Kidd’s so he gets the nod. If Leonard is hampered by injury or can’t play, he’ll need to find a solution to keep Los Angeles’ offensive and defensive attack sharp.

Los Angeles remade their frontcourt depth on the fly this season, and have two veteran centers to choose from in the playoffs. Mason Plumlee and Daniel Theis bring different skills to the table. Additionally, Norman Powell has had his best season in the NBA, and is in the running to win Sixth Man of the Year. The Los Angeles Times wrote that Powell “brings that punch” off the bench.

Dallas features a rookie center in Dereck Lively, who has had an impressive first NBA season, and should play meaningful minutes off the bench. The Mavericks will rely on Tim Hardaway Jr. and Josh Green to provide outside shooting in the event the Clippers decide to double Doncic or Irving on the perimeter.

Hardaway Jr. and Green could go off for a big night in this series, but the reliability that Westbrook, Plumlee and Powell would figure to provide gives Los Angeles the edge in this area.

Lively’s seemingly boundless energy could throw a wrench at the Clippers’ plans. CBS Sports took a closer look into his prowess on the glass back in January. Los Angeles’ centers have more experience, however, which might force Lively to pick up a couple of cheap fouls.

There are compelling arguments to be made for both teams, but this should be one of the most competitive series in the first round. It wouldn’t be surprising if the outcome came down to a buzzer beating shot, similar to the one Doncic drilled against the Clippers during a game in the 2021 NBA playoffs. Dallas in seven games is what we’d go with here.

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