The Smoking Cuban
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Dallas Mavericks: Four Playoff Teams With a Chance at 2019 Lottery

By Kohl Rast

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 17: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on December 17, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 17: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on December 17, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – MARCH 25: Oklahoma City Thunder Guard Russell Westbrook (0) playing defense against Portland Trail Blazers Guard Damian Lillard (0) on March 25, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – MARCH 25: Oklahoma City Thunder Guard Russell Westbrook (0) playing defense against Portland Trail Blazers Guard Damian Lillard (0) on March 25, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

If new teams are going to be jumping into the playoffs then some teams will have to fall out. The Dallas Mavericks could make a playoff run, but which Western Conference teams may drop in the standings in order to get the Mavs in?

The NBA playoffs are an ever-fluctuating mess of teams that over or under perform on a year-to-year basis. There have been a few teams that have made it the norm to be present in the playoffs. Most notable, obviously, is the San Antonio Spurs, who have been in the playoffs for 21 straight seasons.

After that, the drop-off is pretty steep with the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets tied for 2nd at six straight appearances. This year, there were also four new teams in the playoffs that were not here last year: the Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Each year there is a little bit of change when it comes to the NBA playoffs. This year, the Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls all missed the playoffs, despite making it in 2017. The year before that, the Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, and Charlotte Hornets missed the playoffs despite making it in 2015.

For the 2018-19 season, I think there will be another small shakeup on the leader board. I don’t know that four teams will be replaced, but I do believe that if there is a team that does not make the playoffs again next year, it will be one of these four teams.

Let’s take a look at the teams.

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