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Who Mavericks fans should root for (and against) in today’s NBA games

By Cal Durrett

DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 25: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates after scoring against the Utah Jazz in the second quarter of Game Five of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center on April 25, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 25: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates after scoring against the Utah Jazz in the second quarter of Game Five of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center on April 25, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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The Dallas Mavericks’ playoff hopes are hanging by a thread, and they will need help to sneak into the postseason. With a 37-40 record, they have just five games left in their season and will have to go 5-0 to give themselves a shot.

Even then, they will have to hope that the Oklahoma City Thunder or another team ahead of them slip up in their remaining games. It’s possible, but Dallas will need some luck. So, who should Mavs fans root for (and against) in today’s games? Let’s take a look.

Who should Mavericks fans root for and against in today’s games?

With only two games on today’s schedule, it’s clear who fans should root for (and against). The Los Angeles Clippers will play the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, and Mavs fans should be rooting for the Clippers. Assuming the Mavericks take care of business against the Miami Heat, fans should hope the Clippers do the same against the Pelicans. The Pelicans are ahead of the Thunder and Mavericks in the standings, but only by two games. A Mavericks win and a Pelicans loss would cut their lead to just one game.

With the back half of the Western Conference standings closely packed together, gaining a full game would significantly boost the Mavericks’ chances of making the playoffs. Even so, both the Thunder and Pelicans hold the tiebreaker, meaning that each team would get into the playoffs or play-in tournament if they finished with the same record as the Mavericks.

That puts a lot more pressure on Dallas, who has to win out and hope that each team has at least a couple of losses over their final handful of regular-season games. That would give them a chance, and both teams do have tough remaining schedules. However, winning five straight games is easier said than done for the Mavericks.

They are in this position after losing consecutive games to the Charlotte Hornets, who have one of the worst records in the NBA. Dallas isn’t even a lock to finish with a winning season. Therefore, they’ll need help from the teams ahead of them in the standings to make it in.

Next. The Mavericks' incompetence may force Doncic's hand. dark

Overall, Mavs fans should be rooting for the Los Angeles Clippers and against the New Orleans Pelicans in today’s games. That would help, but Dallas also needs to take care of business.

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