The Western Conference Semi-Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks is one of the most-awaited series this playoffs. It’s hard to predict a winner in this series, considering the offensive brilliance of both teams. But Demarcus Cousins believes the defense is the X-factor which can seal the win for either of them. Anyhow, Cousins is choosing the OKC Thunder over the Mavericks, only for a 25-year-old star, who he believes can stop Luka Doncic. 

Cousins and host Rachel Nichols roped in Phoenix Suns star Isaiah Thomas for their podcast All the Smoke. Thomas is rooting for the Dallas Mavericks to win, but Cousins replied, “I’m going the complete opposite. I got OKC in the series…It’s not any popular names. The guy that I think that’s going to stand out in this series is Lu Dort. He defends. Obviously, when it comes to Luka Doncic, I don’t think there is a human on this earth to stop this guy.” But Cousins believes 220lbs Lu Dort can contain the Slovenian sensation to minimal numbers. 

The 33-year-old added, “When it comes to Dallas, I see a really, really good offensive team. When it comes to OKC, I see a really, really good offensive team and a really, really good defensive team. For me, it’s leaning towards OKC. I think Lu Dort is going to be the X-factor in the series.” 

Many might not agree with Cousins on this. However, Doncic himself believes Dort is dangerous when it comes to perimeter difference. But he is not likely to be a problem for Doncic looking at his stats against the OKC defender. 

Luka Doncic puts Lu Dort on his top 3 list in the build-up to Mavs vs Thunder

Ahead of game 1 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals, Doncic revealed his top three perimeter defenders. It was Jrue Holiday from the Boston Celtics, Luguentz Dort from the OKC Thunder, and his teammate Derrick Jones Jr. from the Mavs. Looks like Cousins made a great take after all. Although Doncic has put Dort in his top 3 list, he has not found it hard to score a lot of buckets on him. 

In the 7 games he has played against Dort, Doncic has an average of 32.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 10.3 assists per game. The Mavs guard is averaging a triple-double against the 25-year-old Thunder star, which is quite incredible. Moreover, Doncic is in great form in the playoffs at the moment. So honestly speaking, this series is a challenge for Dort, rather than Doncic. Let’s see who wins this tight battle.