10 Best NBA Playoff wins in Dallas Mavericks history

4. Sweeping the Lakers in 2011 second round

Yes, beating a team in the second round was better than winning the West. Why is that? Because this wasn't seen by many, and was completely unexpected.

The Mavs had a difficult first-round matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers, but were able to prevail in six games. Beating the Trail Blazers led to a matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers, who were the defending back-to-back NBA champions. And with the Western Conference's top seed San Antonio Spurs being upset in round one, many expected the Lakers to come out of the West again. But, the Mavs had other ideas.

The Mavs started the series on the road, and earned themselves a two-point win in Game 1 after Kobe Bryant missed a go-ahead 3-pointer. The Mavs showed they were legit in Game 1, and earned another road win in Game 2 by 12 points going home to Dallas.

The Mavs won Game 3 at home, and had a chance to do the unexpected and sweep the Lakers in Game 4. When some thought the Lakers weren't going down without a fight, they would be proven wrong.

The Mavs hit 20 3-pointers, and won 122-86. Jason Terry connected on 9-of-10 from three. J.J. Barea came off the bench with 22 points, and Peja Stojakovic scored 21 points off the bench, and connected on all six of his 3-pointers.

Sweeping the Lakers was so unexpected, and it made the Game 4 win that much sweeter. 2011 marked the first and only time that Bryant and Nowitzki would meet in the playoffs. The sweep also marked the end for then Lakers head coach Phil Jackson as he would be done with being a head coach. The Mavs ended a legendary coaching tenure with a sweep in round two.