Thunder: Mavericks waiting on OKC-Memphis winner?

The Mavericks’ two-game sweep of its trip to Los Angeles means a few things:

1. Dallas is in position to get some rest before the Western Conference Finals. If the Mavs could finish out the series in Dallas — a big if — then Dallas could have several days off, waiting for the Thunder and Grizzlies to slug it out in the other semifinal. Rest is important to these Mavs, I think, with so many old guys. Jason Kidd is 38. Jason Terry is 33. Shawn Marion turns 33 this week. Dirk Nowitzki turns 33 during the NBA Finals. Peja Stojakovic turns 34 during the NBA Finals and plays like he’s 69.

2. I don’t know how Memphis feels, but the Thunder might be better suited playing the Lakers. I know, it makes no sense. But the Thunder was built to contest LA. Kendrick Perkins is the perfect player to beat the Lakers. But Dallas? Not so much. The Thunder had an antidote for the Lakers’ superstar, Kobe Bryant. Thabo Sefolosha at least gets in Kobe’s way. I guess the Thunder would start out Serge Ibaka on Dirk, with Nick Collison helping out a bunch, too. Maybe even some Thabo. But the Thunder chances of slowing Kobe were greater than the Thunder chances of slowing Dirk.

Dallas Mavericks' Jose Barea, right, is fouled by Los Angeles Lakers' Paul Gasol as he drives to the hoop during the second half in Game 2 of a second-round NBA playoff basketball series, Wednesday, May 4, 2011, in Los Angeles. Dallas won the game, 93-81. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

3. Just wondering, but could the Grizzlies’ Shane Battier chase Dirk for awhile? I don’t like the Zach Randolph-on-Dirk matchup. That spells trouble for Memphis. But Battier might could give Nowitzki some trouble for awhile.