5th Choice – the least favourable – Dallas Mavericks
A team that has quietly gone under the radar this season after the high-profile capture and then loss of DeAndre Jordan in the off-season. The Mavericks have competed at a high level with Zaza Pachulia quietly drawing praise for his underrated play in the painted area.
Factor in Deron Williams and Chris Paul‘s long standing rivalry of who should have been drafted higher, and the Mavs’ wealth of point guards in J.J. Barea, Raymond Felton and Devin Harris, it would certainly make an interesting series with the ability to pick and choose different players to cover Paul for spells.
The Mavs starting five all average double-digit scoring, providing a balance that could hurt the Clippers in multiple ways. Dirk Nowitzki as a former finals and league MVP will always be a challenge for Blake Griffin, with his patented fade away meaning his game survives to this day.
Chandler Parsons and Wesley Matthews give some range for the Mavs too, arguably they are a bit thin on the wing, but that’s always been the case for the Clippers, too.
As it stands between the Clippers and Mavs this season: 1-1.
(Teams have never met in the playoffs).
Next: Houston Rockets