The Warriors strut into this series having swept the Mavericks during the season. The Warriors averaged 111.7 points per game while allowing the Mavericks to score only 95.3 points per game. This is the first time the Warriors have made the playoffs since 1994! Don’t forget that Don Nelson would like nothing more in the world then sending the Mavericks home after how they treated him at the end of his career there. Here are the key matchups in this series:

POINT GUARD: Baron Davis is a clutch player and he’s the one that makes everything go for the Warriors offense. He averaged 20.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game this season. He’s going to be a huge problem for the Mavericks to contain. Devin Harris will likely be starting at point guard for the Mavericks for defensive reasons. He’s got a decent offensive game but the Mavericks don’t let him show it much. He averaged 10.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game this season. EDGE: BIG ONE FOR THE WARRIORS

SHOOTING GUARD: Monta Ellis will be the starting shooting guard for the Warriors in this series. He was one of the most improved players in the NBA this season which was his second. He averaged 16.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game this season. Jason Terry is a very clutch player as he often moves between shooting guard and point guard. He averaged 16.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game this season. Terry also is an excellent outside shooter. EDGE: SLIGHT FOR THE MAVERICKS

SMALL FORWARD: Jason Richardson had a slow start to the season but he’s dominated since returning from injury. He’s a good outside shooter and a fantastic finisher on the fast break. He averaged 16.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game this season. Devean George will be starting at small forward as the Mavericks try to adjust to the Warriors small lineup. He has averaged 6.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game this season. George is a veteran of the playoffs and is sure to have some tricks up his sleeve. EDGE: WARRIORS

POWER FORWARD: Josh Howard will be playing closer to the basket in this series. That’s a good thing because he has a nice assortment of moves in the paint and he’s a good rebounder. He averaged 18.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game this season. Stephen Jackson will start at the “power” forward position for the Warriors. He’s small, but he’s a good offensive player that fits in well in the Warriors offensive running scheme. Jackson has averaged 15.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game this season. EDGE: MAVERICKS

CENTER: Dirk Nowitzki will shift to center for most of this series…at least on defense. He’s a fantastic basketball player as he does everything well. He may be the best shooting 7-foot basketball player of all time as he’s a great 3-point shooter! Nowitzki averaged 24.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game this season. He gets my vote as MVP of the NBA this season. Al Harrington will be playing the center position most of the time for the Warriors in this series. Harrington averaged 16.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game this season. EDGE: HUGE FOR MAVERICKS

BENCH: The Warriors also have a high flying, versatile bench. F/G Mickael Pietrus is an outstanding defensive player but he also has game on offense. He averaged 11.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game this season. F/G Matt Barnes also is a speedy player that is a good shooter and finished on the fast break. He averaged 9.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game this season. Center Andris Biedrins had a fantastic year and if the need to go big arises, he is a legit 7-footer. He averaged 9.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game this season. Guard Kelenna Azubuike is also a sleek, athletic player that fits right into the Warriors running style. He averaged 7.1 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game this season.

G/F Jerry Stackhouse is one of the best 6th men in the NBA. He averaged 12.0 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game for the Mavericks this season. Starting center Erick Dampier will be playing off the bench in this series as the Mavs try to combat the speedy lineup that the Warriors will start. He averaged 7.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game this season. Center DaSagana Diop also will see his playing time cut down in the playoffs. He averaged 2.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. He is a very good shot blocker and the Mavs might need him to use that skill often in this series. Guard Greg Buckner is known for his defense and that will be needed in this series. He averaged 4.0 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game this season. EDGE: WARRIORS

PREDICTION: My head says to take the Mavericks in 7, but my heart says it’s the Warriors in 7. We’ll see which part of my body is right in a little while.