Dallas Mavericks: 3 must-win games for the rest of the regular season

The Dallas Mavericks sit seventh in the Western Conference on the morning of April 2, but the standings are bunched. They are just one game ahead of the Spurs for eighth and three up on the tenth-seeded Warriors. Dallas is 3.5 back of the Blazers in the sixth, but just 1.5 games separate Portland for vaulting up to third. There is plenty to play for down the stretch.

The play-in tournament makes the remainder of the regular season even more important. Teams seven through ten in each conference will take part. Seven faces eight with the winner taking the seventh seed. Nine and ten face off with the winner facing the loser of the seven versus eight game for the final playoff spot. No team wants to be part of a one-game win or go home scenario.

The Mavs are heating up and attempting to climb out of seventh. Every remaining game is important in the chase, but there are a few that stand out above the rest. Let us take a closer look.

Must-win games for the Dallas Mavericks down the stretch

The Mavs have the second-easiest remaining schedule in the NBA, according to Tankathon. They have played well when healthy, and Luka Doncic is catching fire for the stretch run. The jam-packed schedule creates plenty of trap games, though.

The Mavs have seven back-to-back sets remaining and 26 games in 45 days. They will be cautious with their two stars. How cautious could determine if Dallas even has a chance to climb out of seventh.

Here are three must-win games for the Dallas Mavericks down the stretch.

Next: No. 3