Dallas Mavericks: 5 must see games after the All-Star Break

Dallas Mavericks must-see game: April 12th vs. Philadelphia Sixers

The Eastern Conference is up in the air, but the 76ers have a realistic shot of making the Finals this year. The Mavericks will have a chance to prove they are real contenders in this heavyweight matchup.

One of Dallas’ biggest weaknesses this year has been their rebounding. There is not a better opponent to test the Mavericks toughness down low than the supersized Sixers.

If the Mavericks are to win the Finals anytime soon, they’ll have to prove their ability to play against size. Not only could this matchup be a potential future Finals preview, but it will also show how the Mavs measure up against bigs like Nikola Jokic, Rudy Gobert, or Anthony Davis in this year’s playoffs.

As with the Rockets, KP missed the Mavs last bout against Philly. The last time he suited up against the Sixers, he came away with a double-double and the win. But with him missing their last matchup in February, the Mavs struggled on both ends.

The Unicorn has had an inconsistent season and has struggled to stay off the injury report. It was recently reported that his future in Dallas is in question. Regardless of the validity of these claims, Porzingis needs to prove that he can stay healthy and positively impact the team on both ends of the court.

This late-season matchup against the biggest team in the league is a perfect opportunity to prove how much KP can raise the Dallas Mavericks ceiling. If he can help propel Dallas over Philly’s stout defense and bruising attack, it will go a long way towards ensuring his future with the team.

Next: No. 2