Dallas Mavericks:
Offense: (116.5) 1st
Defense: (110.7) tied 18th
Net: (plus +5.7) 5th
Results Week 17: (1-1) Won vs. Kings: 130-111, Lost Mon vs. Jazz: 119-123
Games Week 18: (2 games) Fri at Magic | Sat at Hawks
Although the OKC Thunder sit in sixth they have the same record as the Mavericks which could come into play as the season progresses. The teams have played twice each gaining a victory and will play once more on the last game of the season — it already feels like that game will have an impact on seeding.
The wunderkid, Luka Doncic returned to the lineup in the last game prior to the break and didn’t miss a beat as he came two assists shy of a triple-double (33 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists).
More important, was the merging of Kristaps Porzingis and Doncic both producing as the pair combined for 60 points, 25 rebounds, and 13 assists. If Rick Carlisle can get someone else to produce consistently as the third option and figure out those clutch time issues this team will be trouble come mid-April.