On the surface, the panic button seems like a perfectly viable option for the Mavericks right now.
They woke up Wednesday morning in the play-in tournament. They have lost two of their first three on this season-long six-game home stand, against three teams with losing records, no less. Their defense is – shall we be diplomatic? – a work in progress. They hope to outscore opponents, but their offense still isn’t well-oiled.
Things look bad.
But please remember: the season doesn’t end today. Much will change before April 10, when the regular season wraps up.