THE Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder will likely be within the NBA highlight. They’ll welcome the Dallas Mavericks within the quarterfinals of the 2024 NBA Cup on Tuesday.
Of the 4 event matches, this one brings probably the most juice. The Thunder and Mavericks have a well-documented historical past collectively. The Mavericks knocked OKC out of the playoffs final 12 months. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic are two of the primary superstars.
The 2 groups met earlier this season. It was a bitter second that noticed PJ Washington as soon as once more hang-out the halls of the Paycom Middle as Misplaced Thunder. However with out Doncic, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso, this matchup could also be thrown out the window.
The winner will journey to Las Vegas for the NBA Cup semifinals. THE the loser must face THE Warriors of the Golden State in opposition to. Houston Rockets match.
The NBA Cup grand prize is only monetary. The winner of the NBA Cup will obtain $515,000 for every participant on the roster. The runner-up will obtain $206,000 per participant. The 2 semi-final losers will obtain $103,000 per participant. The 4 quarterfinal losers will obtain $51,000 per participant.
To organize for the Spherical of 16, Thunder Wire hosted an NBA Wire roundtable that predicted who would win between the Thunder and the Mavericks:
Clémente Almanza, Thunder Wire:
For no matter cause, the Thunder struggled in opposition to the Mavericks. Together with the playoffs, OKC has misplaced 5 of its final six video games in opposition to Dallas. Issues will likely be totally different this time from their earlier common season matchup between the 2 groups. The Thunder can have Hartenstein whereas the Mavericks can have Doncic. Anticipate this to be the most effective quarterfinal match. Gilgeous-Alexander will face off in a duel, however the two Dallas superstars will likely be an excessive amount of.
Prediction: Mavericks 131, Thunder 127
Ben DuBose, Rockets Wire:
There’s apparent curiosity on Houston’s half on this consequence. If the Rockets handle to beat Golden State within the different West quarterfinal, Houston would then face the winner of the Thunder-Mavs within the NBA Cup semifinals on Saturday. In the meantime, if the Rockets lose, Houston would face the loser of the Mavericks-Thunder in a typical regular-season recreation on Sunday.
On this one, I will take the Thunder. The Mavericks are getting into a seven-game profitable streak, however this collection has been characterised by a comparatively comfortable schedule in opposition to the likes of Utah, Portland, Washington and Toronto. Oklahoma Metropolis owns a a lot better level differential (+11.9 to +7.6) for your complete season, and after shedding 5 of six to the Mavs courting again to the 2024 playoffs, Gilgeous-Alexander ought to shut the door. Quickly. Give me the house workforce.
Prediction: Thunder 120, Mavericks 114
Justin Quinn, Celtics Wire:
Whereas the Celtics might not have apparent curiosity on this competitors from a Cup perspective with the away workforce watching this season, Boston followers might wish to tune in to see at what a possible postseason recreation might appear like in June.
Each ballclubs are trending in the appropriate route given their latest well being points, with momentum favoring the Mavs. However with their final assembly heading to Dallas, despite the fact that it was a house recreation for OKC, it is going to be sufficient to spur the Thunder to an in depth victory.
Prediction: Thunder 129, Mavericks 127
Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire:
The Thunder and Mavericks have been enjoying some good basketball recently. The Thunder have gained seven of their final eight video games, whereas Dallas is on a seven-game profitable streak and has gained 11 of their final 12 video games.
Just a few weeks in the past, Dallas beat the Thunder 121-119 even with out Luka Doncic. After all, in final season’s Western Convention Finals, he obtained the higher of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his workforce in six video games.
The Thunder are forward of everybody by way of protection, however they are a weak rebounding workforce, and as Pat Riley as soon as mentioned, “No rebounds, no rings.” Dallas ranks fourth in offense and eleventh in whole rebound proportion, and it does job attacking the paint and attending to the free throw line, two issues which might be essential offensively in a recreation that counts greater than d ‘behavior.
If Chet Holmgren was in a position to play it may be a unique story, however I might have to choose the Mavericks taking Oklahoma Metropolis on this one.
Prediction: Mavericks 117, Thunder 111
Ky Carlin, Sixers Wire:
As I mentioned throughout the playoff preview between these groups in Might, I at all times favor star energy. The Thunder, in fact, have one of many league’s brightest in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, however the Mavs have two: Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving who proceed to play at a excessive stage on the identical time. Dallas is likely one of the finest offensive groups within the league and it is going to be troublesome to decelerate. If OKC had Chet Holmgren it may be totally different, however proper now I am leaning in direction of the Mavericks.
Prediction: Mavericks 121 Thunder 116
This text was initially revealed on OKC Thunder Wire: Who will win the NBA Cup quarter-finals between Thunder and Mavericks?
