NBA Western Conference Finals Preview

It's hard to believe that through nearly two rounds of NBA playoff action, there hadn't been a Game 7...that is until Sunday night. The Oklahoma City Thunder overcame the feisty 8th seeded Memphis Grizzlies to advance to their first conference finals appearance since moving to OKC (R.I.P. Seattle Super Sonics). That sets up what is a moderately surprising, but still very intriguing showdown for the Eastern Conference crown.

Western Conference Finals
(3) Dallas Mavericks vs (4) Oklahoma City Thunder
Not gonna lie, this was the match up I was hoping for. Two very well-rounded teams with two of the most likeable superstars in the game, Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Durant. Nobody (not even Dirk's mom) picked the Mavs to sweep the LA Lakers. You would have been hard pressed to even find an expert who foresaw Dallas advancing, let alone bringing out the brooms. Through two rounds, the Mavericks have far and away exceeded expectations. They are showing that age is only a number with Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, and Jason Terry all playing with the hunger, athleticism, and intensity of rookies. The vets have Dallas believing that they can put their 2006 meltdown in the title against the Heat in the rear view mirror (who knows, maybe they'll get another shot at the Heat in the Championship).

Meanwhile, the young and dangerous Thunder have proven that they are ready for prime time. Durant has been silent, but deadly all year long and his 39 points in Sunday's win showed that he may be the most prolific scorer left in the playoffs. After all, he did lead the NBA in scoring the past two seasons. Questions have surrounded KD's teammate Russell Westbrook following a lackluster past couple of weeks. People questioned if Westbrook was really ready to be Robin to Durant's Batman. The UCLA product quieted the haters with a triple-double on Sunday. I think this duo has an excellent shot at going all the way, but in this series I just don't see the Thunder's lack of depth being able to guard the Mav's plethora of weapons, especially the unguardable Nowitzki.
Prediction: Mavericks in 7.