(Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks are set to square off against each other in the opening round of the playoffs.
It’s not clear which team will be the fourth seed and which will be the fifth, but they are guaranteed to battle it out.
Speaking on “NBA On TNT,” Charles Barkley spoke about this matchup and was hesitant to make a prediction.
“I been on the Clippers bandwagon all year,” he said, before adding, “I never know which Clippers team is gonna show up.”
Barkley seemed inclined to put his belief behind the Mavericks because, “I do know one thing about the Mavs: Kyrie and Luka are gonna score on anybody.”
“I been on the Clippers bandwagon all year… I never know which Clippers team is gonna show up… I do know one thing about the Mavs… Kyrie & Luka are gonna score on anybody.”
The Fellas discuss the Clippers-Mavs first round matchup pic.twitter.com/Iryki5oVJp
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 12, 2024
The Clippers and Mavericks have played against each other much earlier this season but, as noted by Ernie Johnson, Dallas looks like a completely different team now.
Recent trade acquisitions and a huge influx of output from both Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic have given this team a new boost of power that makes them look so much better and more competitive.
The Clippers should certainly be fearful of the Mavericks.
At the same time, Los Angeles has a slew of talented stars on the roster, including Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook.
They could also make life very hard for Doncic, Irving, and their team.
No matter what, it’s clear that NBA fans are in for a treat with this first-round competition.
This season has been a very important one for both teams and they have a lot to prove.
That means they will both be playing incredibly hard, intent on claiming victory and silencing their critics.
But no matter how dedicated they both are, only one team can win the first round.
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