Dallas Mavericks Can Enter Stretch Run On Positive Note

Things have really changed for the Dallas Mavericks recently. It wasn’t too long ago that they had lost four straight games and some very serious questions were being asked about Dallas’ readiness to compete for a western conference title.

There are still concerns, most notably the depth of the frontcourt and offensive production off the bench, but the Mavericks have bounced back from that four-game skid by winning five of their last six. Their one loss came without Rajon Rondo in Oakland against the 40-9 Golden State Warriors.

The Mavericks have feasted on teams they’re supposed to beat, and just came up with an impressive come-from-behind victory over the Portland Trailblazers. Now they have a great opportunity to win seven of eight and head into the All-Star break on a very positive note.

All they have left on the schedule is the Blake Griffin-less Los Angeles Clippers and the 18-33 Utah Jazz before a week off for achy bodies to recover and injuries to heal.

Entering the final 28 games of their schedule on a hot streak with a 37-17 record and a healthy roster puts the Mavericks in a great position to continue their run and secure themselves home court advantage in at least the first round of the playoffs.

Feb 7, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler (6) and forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) celebrate during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Trail Blazers 111-101 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Rockets are without Dwight Howard for 6-8 weeks, same with the aforementioned Griffin. Houston has performed well with Howard in and out of the lineup, but the notion that at some point missing their star center will catch up with them isn’t that far-fetched. The Clippers, recently owners of a top-3 seed, now sit in sixth place and are starting Austin Rivers and Spencer Hawes.

Minus Rondo’s broken face the Mavericks have avoided the injury bug. Rondo should be back soon after the break, ready to work out the kinks offensively and continue his defensive impact. Look for the Mavericks to close out their pre-break schedule in strong fashion and head into the final stretch of their schedule primed to make a run.

Next: Mavericks Set to Take On Depleted Clippers

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