The Dallas Mavericks are firmly entrenched in the Western Conference playoff race. They have 33 wins as they return from the All-Star break. The Mavs are currently seventh in the conference but are 8.5 games ahead of the ninth-seeded Portland Trail Blazers.
They are a young team. The Mavericks lack postseason experience. J.J. Barea is the only player on the roster with a championship ring. Their two star players have never played in an NBA playoff game.
That lack of experience makes head coach Rick Carlisle’s job a bit more difficult.