Kyrie Irving, a point guard named to the All-Star team, was acquired by the Dallas Mavericks in one of the most significant trades of the current NBA season. They are still on the outside of the play-in tournament scrum in the Western Conference, despite the fact that the season is coming to a close. What led up to that event?
The Mavericks have dropped to 11th in the rankings with a win-loss record of 37-40 after suffering losses in five of their most recent six games. Yet, it is not too late yet. After their most recent defeat, the Thunder now have a record of 38-40, which provides the Mavs with a chance at redemption. Irving is improving his game, as he posted a 27-point, 5-rebound, and 5-assist average in 10 games in March. Luka Doncic is experiencing a lot of frustration, but that may change quickly if Dallas can finish the regular season on a strong note.
In the past, the Heat was a club that routinely finished in the top four spots in the Eastern Conference. They are now ranked seventh and have secured a spot in the tournament’s play-in round. The fact that they ended the season with a win-loss record of 40-37 doesn’t even come close to reflecting the struggles that this team had to overcome this year, such as dealing with injuries and a lack of cohesion while having all of the necessary components to be a more successful team.
The Heat had high hopes for Kyle Lowry, but he still needs to live up to those expectations. Duncan Robinson, who was sidelined for over two weeks due to an injury, has just recently returned. Yet, Miami still possesses great players such as Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, and the Heat can make a deep playoff run if they have a successful run at the best possible time. The current skid of three games they are on shouldn’t persist for much longer.
The Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks have been mainstays in the NBA Finals at various times, but that time is not now. Today, neither team is on the list of teams to keep an eye out for since they are considered to be hazardous.
It is a constant challenge for the Heat to keep the band members together and play simultaneously. It has been challenging for the Mavericks to have their two dominant players on the same page this season.
These remaining contests for Dallas will determine how their season will go moving forward.
