NEW YORK – The Dallas Mavericks have suddenly found themselves nestled in a nice little groove that would have put them in playoff contention if they didn’t start the season with a 9-25 record.
With the regular season ending in less than a month, over the past eight games the Mavs have posted a respectable 4-4 record. By contrast, five teams that will qualify for the playoffs if the postseason started today are playing the same level of basketball – or worst – than the Mavs have over the last eight games.
That includes Cleveland (4-4), Philadelphia (4-4), Minnesota (4-4), Washington (3-5) and Milwaukee (3-5).