The Dallas Mavericks could be getting some critical reinforcements back in the lineup as they make a concerted postseason push.
At 36-38, the Mavericks are presently the No. 10 seed in a competitive Western Conference playoff race, meaning if the postseason began today they’d be the last team to make the play-in tournament cut.
The 35-39 Phoenix Suns are just a game worse than Dallas, while the 32-42 Portland Trail Blazers and 31-41 San Antonio Spurs are each three games behind the Mavericks.
More Dallas Mavericks News: Mavericks’ Anthony Davis Breaks Silence on LeBron James Friendship Since Lakers Trade
Following a 121-91 blowout Saturday against the Orlando Magic, the Sacramento Kings now sport the same 36-38 record as Dallas, but by benefit of a tiebreak are the West’s No. 9 seed — for now.
Armed with former All-Stars Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis, the Kings would be a tough play-in opponent for the Mavericks — as would the Suns, who boast 15-time All-Star power forward Kevin Durant, four-time All-Star shooting guard Devin Booker and former three-time All-Star combo guard Bradley Beal.
More Dallas Mavericks News: Mavericks Should Save Anthony Davis from Himself
Outside of season-ending injuries to All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving and bench guard Dante Exum, Dallas seems to be healing at just the right time to at least become a chippy play-in tournament out.
Per Marc Stein of The Stein Line/Substack, rim-rolling Dallas centers Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford are both expected to rejoin the club next week.
The Mavericks are currently in the midst of a close battle against the Chicago Bulls, themselves a major play-in tournament contender in their own Eastern Conference.
Next week, the Mavericks will strive to fend off a pair of sub-.500 clubs, the 23-51 Brooklyn Nets and the 35-38 Atlanta Hawks, at home in American Airlines Arena before heading to Tinseltown to suit up against another probable lower playoff seed in the West, the 42-31 L.A. Clippers.
Lively has been recuperating from a right ankle stress fracture he initially incurred in mid-Jan.
He replaced Gafford as the Mavericks’ starting center in Nov. When everyone is fully healthy, Davis could be slotted in as the club’s starting power forward next to Lively at center.
More Dallas Mavericks News: Mavericks Owner Contradicts GM Nico Harrison While Offering Explanation for Luka Doncic Trade
In 32 healthy games this year, Lively is averaging 9.1 points on 70.1 percent shooting from the floor and 63.8 percent shooting from the foul line, 7.8 rebounds and 2.6 dimes.
Gafford has been sidelined for now 21 games due to a Grade 3 MCL sprain in his right knee.
The 6-foot-10 Arkansas product has appeared in 51 contests for Dallas this season, averaging 12.3 points on 69.9 percent shooting from the field and 69.9 percent shooting from the free throw line, 6.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists.
More Dallas Mavericks News:
Mavericks All-Star Kyrie Irving Out for Season After Suffering Torn ACL
Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving Slams Minutes Narrative Leading to ACL Injury
Mark Cuban Goes on NSFW Rant Against Former Mavericks Employee
Mavericks Increasing Ticket Prices Shortly After Luka Doncic Blockbuster Trade
For more on the Dallas Mavericks and the NBA at large, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Read the full article here
