Hot Takes and Player Predictions for Every Set 2024 NBA Playoff Matchup
Hot Takes and Player Predictions for Every Set 2024 NBA Playoff Matchup0 of 1
James Harden and Luka DonÄiÄGlenn James/NBAE via Getty Images
The 2024 NBA playoffs are upon us, which means it’s time to fire up the hot-take machine for all of the series that are set throughout the league.
Anyone can make your run-of-the-mill “Team X is going to win in six” predictions. We’re going to go a bit further here with individual player predictions and at least one hot take for each series.
The article will be updated as each matchup is determined.
Western Conference: Dallas Mavericks vs. LA Clippers1 of 1
Kyrie Irving and Russell WestbrookAdam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
Luka DonÄiÄ has lost both of his playoff series to the Los Angeles Clippers, but it’s hard to fault him for that.
In 13 postseason appearances against L.A., the Dallas Mavericks’ MVP candidate has averaged 33.5 points, 9.5 assists, 8.8 rebounds and 3.6 threes per game while shooting 49.4 percent from the field and 39.2 percent from deep. Those numbers are bonkers in any context, but the fact that they’ve come in the playoffs and against a team with plenty of perimeter defense makes them even more impressive.
As hard as it is to imagine anyone being more productive than that, DonÄiÄ’s playoff numbers are the basis of our bold prediction:
Hot Take:
Luka Raises Those Numbers In This Series
Throughout his career, DonÄiÄ has had a knack for finding another gear in the playoffs. If that happens again, he’ll be improving on what was undoubtedly his best regular season.
That doesn’t necessarily mean the Mavericks will win the series. L.A. has overcome Herculean performances from Luka before. But those Dallas teams didn’t have Kyrie Irving.
Other Player Predictions
Now that he’s fully adapted to life alongside DonÄiÄ, Kyrie is going to average more than 25 points per game in this series, score 40 in at least one game and help the Mavericks finally overcome the Clippers.
On the other side, Paul George is going to have his fourth straight postseason with a sub-34 three-point percentage, and James Harden is going to score in single digits in at least one game.
Book it.
