DALLAS (AP) — The Western Conference finals between the Mavericks and the Thunder is filled with contrasts.
Dallas has Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd and a bunch of other guys in their 30s. Oklahoma City is led by Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and a bunch of other guys in their 20s.
The Mavericks will be playing for the first time in nine days. The Thunder are coming off a seven-game series that included a triple-overtime and another that needed a single overtime.
Game 1 is Tuesday night in Dallas.
Whoever wins the series advances to the NBA finals. This will be only the second time since 1998 that someone other than the Lakers or Spurs will represent the West in the title round.
Dallas won the season series 2-1, but both teams have changed a lot since the last meeting, in early January.
