Mavericks win locks them into intriguing first-round matchup

The first Western Conference playoff series is set, and it might be the best of Round 1.

The Mavericks blew out the Heat 111-92 on Wednesday, securing the No. 5 seed and a third first-round series against the Clippers in their last four playoff appearances.

Los Angeles won the previous two series in 2020 and 2021. Kawhi Leonard averaged 32.5 points per game in the teams' previous meetings. Mavericks guard Luka Doncic has been excellent in defeat, averaging 33.5 points per game.

The series will also mark the first playoff matchup between Clippers guard James Harden and Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving since both were Nets members.

It's wild that, once again, either the Mavericks and Doncic, a 2023-24 MVP candidate, or the loaded Clippers won't make it past the first round of the playoffs.

The talent on display will be breathtaking, and both teams have been playing well recently. Over their last 10 games, the Mavericks have the league's best record (9-1). Stepping further back, only Denver (19-5) has a better record than Dallas (18-7) in the West since the All-Star break.

On Tuesday night, the Clippers raced to a 35-4 lead on the Suns without Harden. Per ESPN Bet, they have the third-best odds of winning the Larry O'Brien Trophy (+800).

Either team could challenge the Nuggets for Western Conference supremacy, but only one might get the chance. 

The West is a bloodbath, and nothing better exemplifies that than the Mavericks and Clippers rekindling their first-round battle. One of these NBA Finals contenders will watch their season end far sooner than it should.