All tied record-wise... it's a battle for #6 in the West! NBA leading scorer Luka Doncic and the 42-29 Mavericks visit triple-doubles leader Domantas Sabonis and the 42-29 Kings tonight at 10pm/et on TNT.
4 teams the Dallas Mavericks want to avoid in the Play-In Tournament
NBAWednesday, 27 March 2024 at 07:00
The NBA regular season is almost over and that means that the playoffs are just weeks away. But before they can kick off, the league has to have its Play-In Tournament, which matches the teams seeded in seventh through tenth place against each other in a high-stakes, high-speed showdown.
Because the Dallas Mavericks are currently the seventh seed in the West, there is a good chance they will participate in the Play-In. If they do, there are several teams they would definitely want to avoid.
Golden State Warriors
If the Warriors are able to make the Play-In, they will be limping in, which is good news for the Mavericks. Golden State has had a dreadful season full of tons of disappointment.
But that doesn't mean they won't overperform and shock the Mavericks. They have the most postseason experience of any team and have shown that if they can get into the playoffs, they can surprise other more dominant teams. Just ask the Sacramento Kings.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have been looking a lot better lately, which should give the Mavericks pause. LeBron James and Anthony Davis should never be counted out, especially when they are healthy.
Speaking of health, if the Lakers are able to get Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent back before the Play-In, they will be looking even better. Last season, everyone counted LA out but they ended up surging all the way to the Western Conference Finals, taking out the Memphis Grizzlies and Warriors along the way. That is one of the biggest reasons why the Mavericks should work to avoid them.
Sacramento Kings
No one wants to play against the Kings, who are known for their speed and youth. But the thing that would be most troubling for the Mavericks would be Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento's big man who could make mincemeat out of Dallas' front court.
The Kings are a team that can do a lot of the things Dallas can do, such as shooting from the perimeter. However, they are younger, which could create huge headaches for Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and their team.
Phoenix Suns
The Mavericks are generally considered a better team than the Suns and that is perhaps the reason why they don't want to face them in the Play-In. The Suns would work as hard as they can to push the Mavericks out of the playoffs. There is a strong rivalry brewing between these two teams and it could lead to fireworks.
Plus, the Suns are extremely talented and if their big three of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal is together and healthy, they can be very dangerous. But it's the embarrassment of losing to the Suns that the Mavericks most want to avoid.
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