The Dallas Mavericks are in the middle of a crowded race for the last two guaranteed playoff spots in the Western Conference. The top six teams from each conference advance directly to the playoffs, with teams seven through ten progressing through the play-in tournament.
Dallas is currently sixth in the West, but just three games separate fifth and eleventh. The Mavs have 11 games left in the regular season and are looking to come out healthy and hot. Luka Doncic is struggling with a hamstring injury and Kyrie Irving has just returned from a foot problem in the win over the Lakers. Dallas needs every win, but more importantly, they need to get healthy before the postseason.
The Mavericks want to make the playoffs. They have two of the top 20 players in the world in their roster and no team will be keen to see them across the field, but which team do they want to face in the postseason? Here’s a look at three first-round matchups that would make you salivate.
No one on either side has forgotten the Mavs’ epic destruction of the Suns in Game 7 of last year’s Western Conference Semifinals. Luka Doncic and Spencer Dinwiddie both had more than 30 points as Dallas won by 33 points in Phoenix. Number 77 had 27 first-half points in that game, as did the entire Suns team.
This is also the fiercest first round matchup. Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton seek revenge after the top seeded Suns were eliminated in spectacular fashion. Phoenix was traded for Kevin Durant on deadline day. Its addition alone adds a ton of storylines, but none bigger than meeting his former teammate Kyrie Irving. Which former Net would have the last laugh in the postseason?
Dallas also wants the Suns because they have already found ways to stop Booker, Ayton and Paul. Now they just need a way to slow down KD and the Mavericks could deal with the Suns quickly.
Many NBA fans are rooting for Dallas Mavericks vs. Phoenix Suns in the opening round of the playoffs, and Luka Doncic and co. would invite this duel.
Source : thesmokingcuban.com