5 Reasons the Mavericks will crush the Clippers in first round of playoffs

4. Mavericks have the better duo of the two teams

Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic have reached another level of consistency as the Mavericks approach the playoffs. Irving played in 31 consecutive games to close the regular season before the Mavericks decided to rest him in their final two contests, and Doncic hasn't missed a significant stretch of games all season. Irving and Doncic have proved doubters wrong in regard to the pairing's fit in Dallas, and they've subsequently spearheaded one of the best teams in the NBA this season.

The Clippers' duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have had their most consistent season in a few years, but they haven't played anywhere near to the caliber of Irving and Doncic this season. Doncic is playing at an MVP-level with absurd averages of 33.9 points, 9.8 assists, and 9.2 rebounds per game on 48.7/38.2/78.6 shooting splits. Even if Doncic doesn't win MVP, it can't be denied that he's the best player heading into this series.

With Irving playing at an All-Star level and having just come off a regular season where he had almost 50/40/90 shooting efficiency, it's clear that most people would take Irving and Doncic's regular season over George and Leonard's regular season, especially when you take into consideration that the Clippers offense hasn't looked as polished as they did during the beginning of the season.

The Mavericks can't undermine Leonard and George's dynamism on both sides of the ball when they face off, but having two of the three best players on the court at all times is certainly a huge win for the Mavericks. Irving and Doncic can bring a different level of poise to the Mavericks' lineup that the Clippers may not be able reciprocate with Leonard's game-one status still uncertain, but even if Leonard's healthy, Dallas still likely has the better duo and late-game shot-making of the two teams which will be huge in clutch scenarios.