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NBA Teams Making the Postseason Hunt Interesting

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 19, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) shoots the ball as Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) and Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) defend in the third quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 98-86. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) shoots the ball as Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) and Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) defend in the third quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 98-86. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 20, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks injured forward Chandler Parsons (25) during a timeout from the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks injured forward Chandler Parsons (25) during a timeout from the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Dallas Mavericks

Record: 35-35

Last 10: 3-7

Current Seed: No. 8

Current Streak: Won 1

The Dallas Mavericks are not the powerhouse that they used to be. Dirk Nowitzki is still an excellent scorer, Deron Williams has his moments of brilliance, and Wesley Matthews can catch fire from beyond the arc, but Dallas has hit a proverbial wall.

Not only has Dallas dropped seven of 10, but it’s also lost starting small forward Chandler Parsons for the season, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN.

Parsons will most certainly be missed.

Parsons is No. 3 on the roster in scoring, and No. 4 in both rebounds and assists per game. He’s also No. 2 in 3-point field goals made per game, and No. 1 in 3-point field goal percentage, which plays a major role in the Mavericks ranking No. 8 in the NBA in 3-point field goals converted per contest.

So long as Nowitzki keeps shooting, however, Dallas will remain a factor in the postseason hunt.

Chances are, Nowitzki won’t average 40 points over the final 12 games of the season. Thus, it’s on his teammates to provide the supporting fire that Parsons gave Dallas before his injury.

Dallas is currently in possession of the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, but it will need to maintain this pace with the Utah Jazz champing at the bit.

Next: Western Conference, No. 2