Dallas Mavericks: Taking a look at ESPN’s predictions of NBA Orlando

Dallas Mavericks receive some love in ESPN predictions

The Dallas Mavericks are gearing up for the NBA’s restart. They will be practicing in Dallas until they depart for Orlando on July 8. After arriving, the Mavs will have training camp 2.0 before embarking on eight seeding games. Fans can see Dallas’ schedule here.

Those games will determine playoff positioning. The NBA is experimenting with a play-in for the final spot in each conference. Then, fans will get the traditional 16-team format featuring seven-game series to decide a champion.

The unique environment is sure to provide plenty of uncertainty. There will be no home-court advantage. That alone could shake up the playoffs. With the schedule set, predictions can be made. Let us take a look at ESPN’s.

ESPN’s Kevin Pelton gives Dallas Mavericks 40.6 percent chance to advance to round two of playoffs

ESPN’s Kevin Pelton predicted the restart using their real plus-minus numbers (subscription required). The Mavericks made the postseason every time. In 46.9 percent of the simulations, they finished seventh in the Western Conference. Dallas climbed as high as third after the seeding games.

That means the Mavs moved up in the standings 53.1 percent of the time. The Lakers and Clippers held the top two spots in nearly every simulation. That means Dallas has a better than a coin flips odds of avoid playing the Clippers in round one of the playoffs.

ESPN also predicted the playoffs. The Mavericks advanced to the second round 40.6 percent of the time. They made the NBA Finals in 3.2 percent of the simulations. Dallas even won the championship in 0.2 percent.

The Dallas Mavericks had the fifth-highest odds of advancing to the second round in the Western Conference. They may not be favored to do so, but Dallas has proved the experts wrong all season. Why would they stop now?