Two MVP Finalists Go Head-to-Head!

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The Dallas Mavericks just eliminated the Los Angeles Clippers in the first-round of the NBA playoffs after six games. A couple years ago, Dallas made it past the first-round for the first time in eleven years and they made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals. This year, the Oklahoma City Thunder finished the season as the number one seed in the Western Conference and after sweeping the New Orleans Pelicans in the first-round they have won their first playoff series since 2016. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from the OKC Thunder and Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks finished as finalists for the Most Valuable Player award and now they will face each other in the second-round of the NBA playoffs. 



Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 30.1 points per game during the regular season which was third best overall in the league. He also averaged 2 steals per game which tied for first overall in the league, along with Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox. Luka Doncic averaged 33.9 points per game during the regular season which was second best overall in the league, along with 9.8 assists which was second best overall. While Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is the favorite to win the MVP award these two guards have a great case. 



Despite the Thunder being the number one seed in the Western Conference, some view the Mavericks as the favorite to win this series. The Mavericks have significant postseason experience compared to the young Thunder but you can't count them out. While Shai is the star on the team the Thunder play great team basketball. Game one of this second-round series will be on May ninth at 9:30 PM eastern time on TNT. 



Location: Miami, FL, USA

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