Dallas Mavericks: Predicting the Western Conference standings

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In part two of the NBA standings predictions, we switch over to the more competitive and harder to predict Western Conference. Where will the Dallas Mavericks finish in the regular season standings?

The Western Conference is about to be as wide open as it has been in a long time. With 10 teams very capable of earning a playoff spot, 6-7 teams capable of winning a title and no team as a clear cut favorite just yet, the West could be very interesting this year. The Dallas Mavericks are hoping to capitalize on some of this craziness.

For the first time in years, the Mavs are ready to make a serious move towards the playoffs. After so many years of being a playoff team since the turn of the century, Dallas has been out of the postseason for three years now. I know that doesn’t seem particularly long to a lot of fanbases, but we are sick of it already.

Dallas lucked into a quick rebuild with the drafting of Luka Doncic and the trade for Kristaps Porzingis. Between those two moves, the Mavericks put together their nucleus for several years to come. This nucleus is ready to prove to others just what they are capable of.

Dallas is one of at least nine West teams that have embraced the big two model this year. With two big stars and a supporting cast that the team can actually afford, games are going to look a little different this year.

How will the Western Conference play out for the regular season. Will the newly acquired talents be ready to hit the ground running, or are some of the teams going to get off to a slow start? Here are my predictions as to how the West will play out for the regular season.

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