Should the Thunder root for the Clippers or Mavericks to advance to Round 2?

For the second time this postseason, the Oklahoma City Thunder are off for nearly a full week between rounds. After they swept the New Orleans Pelicans in Round 1, the first-seed Thunder await their Round 2 opponent.

The LA Clippers and Dallas Mavericks are fighting it out in one of the more entertaining and competitive first-round matchups of the 2024 NBA playoffs. Dallas is currently up 3-2 in the series with a chance to clinch at home in Game 6.

But if the Clippers force a Game 7, the winner will only have one day off between series. The Thunder will host Game 1 of Round 2 on Tuesday, May 7. A Game 7 between the Mavericks and Clippers will be on Sunday, May 5. This could be advantageous to OKC as it will enter the series with fully rested legs while its opponent will be freshly off an intense series.

Regardless of the winner, the Round 2 matchup will not be short of star power. The Thunder are led by one of the best trios in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren.

Meanwhile, the Mavericks have one of the best star duos in Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. The Clippers roster four future Hall-of-Famers Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, James Harden and Russell Westbrook.

Let’s spell out every argument for both the Clippers and Mavericks as to why the Thunder should and shouldn’t favor a matchup against them in the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs.