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Dallas Mavericks: Difficult Schedule Provides Opportunity

By Brandon Jennings

Feb 5, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle on the sideline against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle on the sideline against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a week without basketball, the Dallas Mavericks should return from the NBA All-Star break rested and refreshed. That’s a good thing, because their schedule after the All-Star break is absolutely brutal.

The Mavs will be tested the moment they return to the court with a back-to-back set of games beginning at Oklahoma City on Thursday, Feb. 19 and concluding with a matchup at the American Airlines Center against the Houston Rockets on Friday, Feb. 20.

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Out of the Mavericks’ next 13 opponents, only three have a record below .500. Life in the Western Conference this season comes with very few breaks and the Mavericks won’t find any sympathetic ears among the 10 teams competing for the eight available playoff spots.

Making this stretch even more difficult is the uncertainty surrounding two of the Mavericks’ five starters, point guard Rajon Rondo and center Tyson Chandler. Rondo is still recovering from an orbital fracture that occurred on Jan. 31 and his recovery has taken longer than anticipated.

The Mavericks are also uncertain if Chandler will be ready to play when the Mavericks return to the court. Chandler sprained his ankle against the Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 9 and his absence was immediately felt as Clippers center DeAndre Jordan feasted on the Mavericks to the tune of 22 points and 27 rebounds.

Feb 2, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons (25) celebrates with forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks won 100-94. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons (25) celebrates with forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks won 100-94. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

The playoff race in the Western Conference is so close it is absolutely ridiculous. The Mavericks have a record of 36-19, giving them the No. 5 seed at the All-Star break. While 36-19 is a good record, it’s only 1.5 losses away from the No. 7 seed.

Any prolonged losing streak could put the Mavericks at risk for finishing with the No. 8 seed or missing out on the postseason altogether. There will likely be a few upsets in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, but it’s hard to see it coming from the No. 8 seed out West. The team with the best record resides out West, and facing the 42-9 Golden State Warriors in the first round could make for a quick exit.

Jan 4, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Monta Ellis (11) drives to the basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Monta Ellis (11) drives to the basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

As close as the Mavericks are to the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference, they are actually closer to the No. 3 and No. 4 seed, with only one game separating Dallas, Houston and Portland. This is how crazy things are out West, and this is why no games may be left on the table.

According to HoopsStats.com, the Mavericks are 12-16 when they face teams with a winning record. Dallas’ upcoming schedule may be challenging, but they cannot allow the next three weeks of basketball to put them behind the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers. The Spurs typically hit their stride after the All-Star break and it may be tough to keep pace with the Clippers if the Mavericks continue to be down two of their starters.

Regardless of who takes the court for the Mavericks in the coming weeks, it’s time for this team to come together at this critical point in the season. You may not be able to win the NBA championship in February, but if the Mavericks fail to play better basketball against winning teams, they could make the process much more difficult down the road.

This upcoming stretch may be difficult, but it should also be viewed as an opportunity for a team looking to prove they belong with the best out West.

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