All season long the Dallas Mavericks have proven that they are a legitimate force to be reckoned with once again the Western Conference and will have their eyes on the prize moving forward. Even though Dirk Nowitzki and company have been one of the best teams in the league throughout the NBA regular season and are considered to be a legitimate NBA title contender heading into the playoffs, they may have gotten the worst draw of any high seed in the Western Conference as they will face the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round.

There is no doubting that the Dallas Mavericks have what it takes to compete with the best of the best in the Western Conference this time around and might be NBA Finals bound, but they will have a very tough opponent right out of the gate against LaMarcus Aldridge and company. Even though Brandon Roy isn’t exactly the player he used to be and has basically handed over the franchise to LaMarcus Aldridge, the Blazers are about as stacked from top to bottom as any team in the league right now.

This first round matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and the Portland Trail Blazers will be a battle of the benches. These two Western Conference heavyweights have two of the deepest and most talented benches in the NBA and which will make for an intriguing seven-game series.

Even though the Dallas Mavericks will almost certainly be favored to come out on top in this first round matchup, I believe the Portland Trail Blazers have what it takes to pull off the upset and send the Dallas Mavericks packing much earlier than anticipated.

The one player that will be the key to this series will be LaMarcus Aldridge. With the Mavs having no answer for this All-Star snub, Dallas will be upset in the first round.

Prediction: Portland Trail Blazers advance in six games 4-2

Western Conference Playoffs online sportsbooks odds:

DSI Sportsbook:
Spread: Portland Trail Blazers +5 & Dallas Mavericks -5
Moneyline: Portland Trail Blazers +180 & Dallas Mavericks -210
Over/Under: Portland Trail Blazers 110 Dallas Mavericks 110 under (186.5)

Bookmaker Sportsbook:
Spread: Portland Trail Blazers +5 & Dallas Mavericks -5
Moneyline: Portland Trail Blazers +180 & Dallas Mavericks -210
Over/Under: Portland Trail Blazers 110 Dallas Mavericks 110 under (186.5)

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• Western Conference Playoffs: First Round Matchups