Stephen A. Smith Makes Bold Mavericks Prediction After Thunder’s NBA Title Win

The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday to capture the organization's first NBA championship since relocating from Seattle in 2008.

Following a tight first half that resulted in a 48-47 Pacers lead at halftime, the Thunder's tandem of All-Star guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams took control of the game in the second half and finished with 29 and 20 points, respectively.

Oklahoma City’s victory ends a triumphant season where it held the league’s best regular season record at 68-14 before marching through four playoff rounds. ESPN Bet has listed the Thunder as the title favorite for next season, but longtime ESPN broadcaster Stephen A. Smith thinks they'll have some tougher competition.

Smith, 57, mentioned the Denver Nuggets, who took Oklahoma City to seven games in the second round. He also said that the Dallas Mavericks are a team that could give Oklahoma City some trouble.

“A healthy Dallas Mavericks would be my answer to this question,” Smith said during a recent episode of ESPN’s “First Take” on who could prevent a Thunder repeat. “Because when I watched [Oklahoma City] against the Dallas Mavericks, I watched them take them out in six games last year, and then I watched them without Luka [Doncic] beat the Oklahoma City Thunder this year when they were rolling against everybody else.”