The Mavericks will long ruminate on their two straight losses against the Hornets… Eleventh in the Western Conference, Luka Doncic’s teammates no longer have their destiny in their hands, and even if they end the season with three wins, they are not not guaranteed to go to the “play-in”. Beaten on the wire in Atlanta, the Mavericks (37-42) have a victory behind the Thunder (38-41), and they do not even have the “tie-breaker” on the teammates of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Which means Dallas needs to win two more games than OKC.
“It’s really not good at all to find yourself in this situation” notes JaVale McGee, who has not missed the playoffs since 2019. What is not good at all is the current dynamic with seven defeats in eight matches. Upon arrival of Kyrie Irvingthe Mavericks were aiming for 4th place, and now they are in the position of “lottery team”!
“We had complicated defeats, which exhausted us emotionally, but at the same time, we are professionals” reacts Irving. “There is a glimmer of hope, a glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel… But at the same time, our efforts suit me, our brilliance throughout the matches.. We just have to be able to finish better collectively. »
Dallas does not have the “tie-breaker” on the Thunder, nor on the Wolves
Concretely, is there any hope left? The answer is ‘yes’ as the Mavericks end the season with three home games, against the Kings, Bulls and Spurs. These three adversaries have almost completed their season: Sacramento will finish 3rd; Chicago has a 99% chance of going to the play-in; San Antonio is already on leave. On the OKC side, the schedule is more delicate: trips to Golden State and Utah; Memphis reception.
The Mavericks can also look higher, aiming for Wolves’ spot. Except that Minnesota (39-40) has two wins in advance, and the “tie-breaker”. Which means Dallas will have to win all three games, and hope for three losses from Rudy Gobert’s teammates, who face Brooklyn, San Antonio and New Orleans.
“We are aware of the situation in which we find ourselves” concedes Jason Kidd. “We are trying to make up for lost time. We have to find a way to win and at the moment we are not up to it”. Him, the first.
