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A cursed season on and off the field, the Dallas Mavericks still have slim hope for the making the 2025 NBA Playoffs. With five guaranteed spots left as Oklahoma City Thunder have already booked their playoff tickets. A dogfight in the West, amongst the play-in teams to get the 5th or 6th seed. Prior to the 76ers game, the Mavs have the 21st easiest schedule in the league and may make a run for it with an injury depleted squad.
How can Mavs secure a Playoff Spot?
The Mavs currently have a record of 33-35 and sit 10th in the West, prior to the 76ers game. The teams ranked above the Mavs are the Sacramento Kings (33-33), Los Angeles Clippers (37-30) and the Minnesota Timberwolves (39-29) in the play-in spots. In the 5th and 6th seed, the Los Angeles Lakers (40-25) and the Golden State Warriors (39-28) sit respectively.
If the Mavs win all their remaining games, they finish with a 47-35 record. In the last five years, only two teams have made the NBA playoffs on a guaranteed spot with an identical or a worse record. A highly unlikely scenario.
However, Mavs best chances to make the NBA playoffs are to finish 7th or 8th in the West, giving two shots at the playoffs spot. A single-elimination game can go either way and some of the starters may comeback from injuries till mid April.
The Mavs need to win at least 10 of the remaining 14 games to have a shot at a guaranteed playoffs spot or a 7th or 8th seed finish.
When can Mavs secure a Playoff Spot?
Given their current standing, the Mavs can clinch a playoff berth by April 13 or by the end of the play-in tournament.
Dallas Mavericks’ Strengths
As of now, Mavericks have no strengths. The team has won two of the last 10 matches and have fallen down from a guaranteed playoffs spot to the brink of elimination from play-in.
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Dallas Mavericks’ Weakness
Dallas Mavericks have suffered the worse fate of injuries. Starters in Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Daniel Gafford, PJ Washington and Dereck Lively III have suffered long-term injuries. An injury depleted bench, players like Caleb Martin, Jaden Hardy and Dante Exum are also ruled out due to long-term injuries.
On the other hand, an absent defense, the Mavs have conceded 120+ points in their last eight consecutive games.
