Golden State Warriors: Ranking Best First Round Playoff Matchups

5. Dallas Mavericks

Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

In their one matchup during the regular season thus far, the Warriors demolished the Dallas Mavericks. Although seeing as that is the fashion in which they have won a bunch of games this season, that is not very surprising. At the time they played, the Mavs were one of the hottest teams in basketball, and the Dubs still made them look school kids on the playground in the first half before easing up in the second half.

Granted, versatile swingman Chandler Parsons didn’t play in that game, but there is no reason to believe his presence would have altered the outcome all that much.

Additionally, the Mavs have added Rajon Rondo as their starting point guard. With Rondo running the offense, Monta Ellis acting as the perimeter scoring threat, and Dirk Nowitzki performing as he always has, the Mavs have a very potent offense that the Warriors would have to contain. They rank second in the league in points scored per game at 107.9 ppg, ranking behind the aforementioned Warriors who score 111.1 ppg.

In a potential matchup, the Warriors and their free-flowing offense would pick apart the Mavs’ slow-footed and suspect defense. With their firepower on the other hand, the Mavs could cause problems despite the elite perimeter defense of Thompson, Iguodala, and Draymond Green. Still, based on their previous matchup, it’s very difficult to see the Warriors not winning this series quite handily.

Next: Los Angeles Clippers