The Dallas Mavericks have been a wonderful surprise. Many have already jumped in on the Luka Doncic bandwagon as the second-year player is making huge waves in the NBA. Doncic would be a top-three MVP candidate if his team had a little more success.
The Mavericks have a tough road ahead of them as the team is still very young.
July 31 vs. Houston Rockets: Win
Doncic is overall better than James Harden at this point in time in the season. Harden is a great player, but Doncic has brought a Mavericks team from one of the worst teams in the NBA to one of the better teams. Without Doncic, the Mavericks would not have been in the bubble. Doncic vs. Harden will be great to watch as the NBA returns.
Aug. 2 vs. Phoenix Suns: Win
Devin Booker may be an elite scorer, but just like the Rockets game, the Mavericks have the better player to lead the way. Doncic is having a very great year and while many only talk about his scoring ability, his playmaking and rebounding are among the best at his position. Even though he is not the best athlete, he can create incredible space.
Aug. 4 vs. Sacramento Kings: Win
Name one player who will be able to guard Doncic on the Kings. Now name an additional player who will be able to guard Kristaps Porzingis. The Kings can not provide answers against both of these players at the same time.
Aug. 6 vs. Los Angeles Clippers: Loss
The Clippers are just one of four teams that seem unstoppable going into the bubble. They have two of the top wing defenders that can keep up with Doncic and the Mavs’ surrounding players. You can’t win them all.
Aug. 8 vs. Milwaukee Bucks: Win
Seth Curry is one of the best three-point shooters in the league and will go wild in this clash. Curry is a more reliable shooter than his highly successful brother and has boasted an incredible success rate shooting from beyond the arc at a near record-breaking efficiency.
Aug. 10 vs. Utah Jazz: Win
This game will be close so don’t rule out a buzzer-beater or last-second shot. Doncic and Mitchell will be fighting for the lead, going back and forth. This will truly be one of the most underrated games to watch during the bubble.
Aug. 11 vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Win
A possible first-round matchup in this year’s playoffs, Trail Blazers vs. Mavericks pits Damian Lillard against Doncic in clash of two dynamic players who lead their team. Porzingis, however, will be the deciding factor in this game as his offensive performance will determine whether the Mavericks succeed.
Aug. 13 vs. Phoenix Suns: Loss
This will be a joke of a game as the Suns will most likely be out of the playoff hunt. Doncic and Porzingis will sit out and Mavericks will take a meaningless loss.
The Dallas Mavericks will finish the season with a 6-2 record in Orlando. The chances of them rising in seeding are higher than them sinking to a lower position. The Mavericks are an underrated team as a whole and could make a deep playoff run if they receive a reasonable first-round matchup.
