2012 NBA Playoff Preview and Predictions: OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks

WhatIfSports.com Predicts the 2012 NBA Playoffs

Oklahoma City Thunder

Record: 47-19

Analysis: Oklahoma City's methodical ascent to the league's elevated stratum has come to fruition, as the Thunder enter the playoffs as one of the top seeds in the Western Conference.

Franchise foundation Kevin Durant submitted his finest overall campaign, sporting career highs in field-goal percentage, rebounds, assists and blocks.

Oh, and he also led the league in scoring at 28.0 points per game, good enough for his third straight scoring title. At age 23, the Durantula has already fulfilled his prophecy as savior to the once-beleaguered ball club.

Not that he's alone in this quest.

Russell Westbrook continues to develop into one of the association's elite guards, averaging 23.6 points on the season, although his drop in assists (8.2 mark last season to a 5.5 clip this year) is somewhat disconcerting.

Helping Durant and Westbrook light up the scoreboard has been James Harden. The Arizona State product, a shoo-in for Sixth Man of the Year and fresh off a 40-point performance against the Suns, is chipping in 16.8 points a game off the bench.

On the defensive end, Serge Ibaka led the NBA in blocks, swatting shots to the tune of 3.7 rejections a contest, while Kendrick Perkins provides an overpowering presence in the post.

Perhaps a little green in last year's conference finals, Oklahoma City is more than ready to cast their claim as top dogs in the West.

Mavericks

Record: 36-30

Analysis: The NBA's reigning champions have suffered through a tumultuous season.

It began with the departure of free-agent center and defensive stalwart Tyson Chandler. He was replaced with disgruntled Lakers player Lamar Odom, whose drama-filled season ultimately concluded with his dismissal from the team in early April.

Meanwhile, Dirk Nowitzki submitted a disappointing season by his standards. Nowitzki's 21.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game were his fewest since the 1999-00 season. He shot 45.7 percent from the floor, his worst mark since his rookie campaign.

The good news for Mavericks faithful is that Nowitzki may be returning to form. Prior to the All-Star game, he averaged 19.6 points on 27.8 percent three-point shooting. Since then, he's upped his averages to 23.6 points on 43.4 percent from three.

However, it may be too little, too late for the Mavericks, whose daunting road to the Finals could include the Thunder, Lakers and Spurs.

If the Mavericks do face an early exit, fans can begin daydreaming about Deron Williams and Dwight Howard in blue and white.

Winning Percentage of 1001 Simulations: Thunder 58.3 percent - Mavericks 41.7 percent