Which team has the edge?

KIDD

Caplan: This is a split matchup because the 39-year-old Jason Kidd won't be tasked with guarding the 23-year-old, lightning-quick Russell Westbrook (Delonte West will get first crack). The Thunder's lightning rod can be an explosive scoring force and he'll require Shawn Marion to help guard him at times, but what can't be overlooked is Westbrook's awful turnover rate (3.6 a game), especially when it comes to crunch time. Kidd has to knock down a couple 3-pointers a game to keep the defense honest.

WESTBROOK

2011-12 stats

6.2 ppg, 5.5 apg, 4.1 rpg

2011-12 vs. OKC

3.0 ppg, 5.7 apg, 4.3 rpg

2011 West finals

9.6 ppg, 8.6 apg, 5.2 rpg

MacMahon: By the numbers, this is one of the biggest matchups in the playoffs. But that might not matter in crunch time. Westbrook is a phenomenal talent still learning how to play point guard. Kidd is way past his prime, but he's still among the league leaders in basketball IQ. Kidd's savvy and Westbrook's inexperience were key factors in last year's West finals.

2011-12 stats

23.6 ppg, 5.5 apg, 4.6 rpg

2011-12 vs. DAL

22.8 ppg, 3.5 apg, 6.0 rpg

2011 West finals

23.6 ppg, 4.8 apg, 4.8 rpg

WEST

Caplan: The 6-foot-7 Thabo Sefolosha is non-threat to score, other than an occasional 3-pointer, which certainly deems watching. But he will certainly try to make life difficult for 6-foot-3 West. And what an opportunity it is for West, who averaged 13.8 points and 4.1 assists in the 2008-09 playoffs for Cleveland. West's midrange game can really help the Mavs, but his most rigorous test will come at the other end, where he's going to have to defend the stouter Westbrook.

SEFOLOSHA

2011-12 stats

9.7 ppg, 3.2 apg, 2.3 rpg

2011-12 vs. OKC

8.0 ppg, 3.0 apg, 2.7 rpg

2011 West finals

N/A

MacMahon: These guys are defensive stoppers, but West can also create offensively. West will be an X factor in this series. West's primary job will be to get in Westbrook's grill and keep Oklahoma City's All-Star point guard from lighting up the Mavs. Sefolosha's role for the Thunder is similar to DeShawn Stevenson's during the Mavs' playoff run last year. He's the starter, but James Harden plays the majority of the minutes.

2011-12 stats

4.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.1 apg

2011-12 vs. DAL

0.0 ppg, 0.5 rpg, 1.5 apg

2011 West finals

5.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 0.6 apg

MARION

Caplan: All Shawn Marion is being asked to do is shadow the three-time league scoring champ, clean up the glass at both ends and score in double digits. He did it last season, while also taking shifts on Westbrook. Kevin Durant has put up 25.5 points and 8.3 rebounds in four games against Dallas this season. Still, Marion makes him work. His 44.6 percent shooting from the floor is about five points below his season average, but the Mavs have to be wary of his improved 3-point shooting.

DURANT

2011-12 stats

10.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.1 spg

2011-12 vs. OKC

11.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.3 spg

2011 West finals

14.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.6 spg

MacMahon: Durant is the best player in the Western Conference. He might be the best player in the NBA. Marion at least gives the Mavs a chance to slow down the NBA's annual scoring champion. Durant was dominant in the first two games of last season's West finals, but the series shifted after a more motivated, intense Marion emerged after being challenged in a team meeting. Marion must excel defensively and contribute offensively.

2011-12 stats

28.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 3.5 apg

2011-12 vs. DAL

25.5 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 3.0 rpg

2011 West finals

28.0 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 4.0 rpg

NOWITZKI

Caplan: If the Mavs don't win this category, they might as well pack it in. Dirk Nowitzki loves playing the Thunder. He destroys whoever is guarding him at the time, and Serge Ibaka has learned how difficult a task it is. Nowitzki's number against OKC this season more reflects his deflated overall numbers, averaging 22.5 points in four games and shooting just 44.6 percent from the floor. However, two of the games came prior to Nowitzki's in-season training camp. Ibaka is a beast defending the paint and will block anything in or around his vicinity.

IBAKA

2011-12 stats

21.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.2 apg

2011-12 vs. OKC

22.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.3 apg

2011 West finals

32.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.6 rpg

MacMahon: In Ibaka's words, Dirk took him to school during his historically efficient 48-point performance in Game 1 last season. That didn't change the rest of the season. Ibaka is the league's best shot-blocker, but Nowitzki uses that asset against the high-flying Thunder forward, making him look foolish with pump fakes. Oklahoma City might have Ibaka match up with Brendan Haywood and roam, but that would put Kendrick Perkins on Nowitzki.

2011-12 stats

9.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.7 bpg

2011-12 vs. DAL

9.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 5.3 bpg

2011 West finals

10.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.8 bpg

HAYWOOD

Caplan: The scowl is back. This time around Perkins has dropped considerable weight from last season and is more agile while remaining as menacing as ever. The problem for him is that Haywood could play 30 minutes or 20 or 15. He's going to have to adjust to three centers who differ in size and style. Haywood's minutes have steadily declined in the past month, and against the Thunder he could see more time on the pine as athleticism is the favored currency.

PERKINS

2011-12 stats

5.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.0 bpg

2011-12 vs. OKC

4.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.0 bpg

2011 West finals

5.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.6 bpg

MacMahon: This isn't exactly an entertaining big man matchup. Neither team counts on its center do much offensively other than set picks and finish. In fact, they wince whenever these guys touch the ball more than a few feet from the basket. Their jobs are to protect the paint and clean the glass. They've both done that well enough to earn a championship ring, although Haywood did it as a backup.

2011-12 stats

5.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.1 bpg

2011-12 vs. DAL

7.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 0.8 bpg

2011 West finals

4.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.0 bpg

TERRY

Caplan: The Mavs pride themselves on their bench and it must be a factor in this series. Start with veteran Jason Terry and Vince Carter and the Mavs bring the capability of instant firepower. Both players can shoot the 3-ball and Carter brings an added dimension of a post-up game and the playmaking ability to drive. Pogo stick Brandan Wright should get some serious time to roam the paint. The Thunder rely on leading Sixth Man of the Year candidate James Harden to create for others and score. Nick Collison does a nice job bodying Nowitzki and finding ways to score inside. Mavs must also watch the 3-pointer from newcomer Derek Fisher.

HARDEN

2011-12 stats

15.1 ppg, 3.6 apg, 2.3 rpg

2011-12 vs. OKC

18.5 ppg, 5.5 apg, 1.8 rpg

2011 West finals

15.4 ppg, 2.0 apg, 1.6 rpg

MacMahon: It's a matchup of the surefire Sixth Man of the Year this season against a former Sixth Man of the Year. Carter is a heck of a sixth man for Dallas, and Wright and Ian Mahinmi are a dynamic backup big man tandem. The Thunder's most experienced players -- Collison and Fisher -- come off the bench.

2011-12 stats

16.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.7 apg

2011-12 vs. DAL

14.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 5.0 apg

2011 West finals

14.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.4 apg

CARLISLE

Caplan: Mavs coach Rick Carlisle has proven himself a master tactician, drawing up brilliant plays out of timeouts (and knowing the right time to call one) and exemplary in utilizing personnel. His decision to return Stevenson to the starting lineup in the last year's regular-season finale and then to use J.J. Barea as the starting shooting guard from Game 3 on in the NBA Finals were tremendous moves. Scott Brooks has yet to display those kinds of chops. He will be judged on how his team performs in crunch time. Stagnant possessions and late shot clock 3s won't cut it.

BROOKS

MacMahon: This is a significant mismatch in the Mavs' favor. Carlisle got the best of his former collective bargaining agreement roommate in the West finals last season. Brooks gets a significant share of the blame for the Thunder's struggles to execute offensively down the stretch of close games. Carlisle is an outstanding strategist who has developed a knack for knowing when to trust his veterans.