10* play on the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are enjoying the prospect of closing out their Western Conference Quarterfinals series against the Dallas Mavericks with a win Monday night. With a much tougher match-up in next round I expect the Thunder to look to take care of business ASAP to maximize the time to prepare for the series against the Spurs in the semifinals.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. The Demoralized Mavs - The Mavericks lost the series-opener by 38 points but managed to return home from Oklahoma City with the series tied at 1-1 after pulling an upset in Game 2. Any dreams of upsetting the Thunder in the series must be crushed now though after a pair of blowout losses in their own building, and I think this contest will resemble the series opener.

2. Dallas' Injuries - Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki is playing with a bruised knee and J.J. Barea is bothered by a groin injury. On top of that they lost point guard Deron Williams to a sports hernia only 89 seconds into the last game. "I think he's done for the year," Carlisle told reporters. "That's what I think. I don't expect him to play in Game 5."

3. X-Factor - Oklahoma City's backup Enes Kanter led the team with 28 points in Saturday's 119-108 win and averaged 24.5 points over the two games at Dallas.

Selection: This is a play on the Oklahoma City Thunder (10*)