What’s up with the Dallas Mavericks?
The Dallas Mavericks pulled off one of the biggest trades this season and came out of it with an All-Star point guard in Kyrie Irving. Yet, with the season winding down, here they are still at the outside of the play-in tournament scrum in the West. How did that happen?
The Mavericks lost five of their last six games, slipping to 11the in the standings with a 37-40 win-loss record. All is not lost though. The Thunder are at 38-40 after a recent loss, giving a lifeline to the Mavs. Irving is picking up his game, averaging 27 points, five rebounds, and five assists in 10 games in March. Luka Doncic is frustrated but that can change very, very quickly if Dallas finishes the regular season on a good note.
What’s up with the Miami Heat?
The Heat used to be a team that always finished in the top four in the East. Currently, they’re sitting in seventh and look to be a lock in for the play-in. Their 40-37 win-loss record is not nearly an indication of the tough times this team has gone through this season–battling injuries and lack of chemistry for a team that should’ve had all the pieces to be better.
Kyle Lowry isn’t near the Kyle Lowry the Heat expected him to be. So is Duncan Robinson, who’s recently returned after missing a couple of weeks due to injury. Still, Miami has elite pieces in Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo that a good run at the best time still gives them a chance at a deep playoff run. They’re current three-game losing streak shouldn’t last that long.
Storyline to watch out for
There were eras when the Heat and the Mavs were the staples in the NBA Finals–that era is not now. Today, both teams have slipped under the radar of dangerous teams to watch out for.
For the Heat, it’s a struggle to keep the band together playing at the same time. For the Mavs, it’s a work in progress trying to put two alpha males on the same page.
These last few games for Dallas will dictate what their future will look like.
Prediction
Unless Kai and Luka both break out for 40-point games each, Miami is a team that can put the clamps on them and everyone else. It’s not looking good for the Mavs.
Where to watch
The Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat will rekindle their rivalry tomorrow live at 8:30 AM on NBA League Pass.
