Dallas Mavericks: Anticipating the 3 biggest rivals of the 2021-22 season

The Dallas Mavericks have made two straight playoff appearances, but have failed to advance past the first round. Luka Doncic has been phenomenal in his 13 NBA playoff games, but his supporting cast must improve for Dallas to make a deep run. The goal is to jump into title contention this season, and it will start with improving their regular-season record.

The Mavs finished fifth in the West last season at 42-30, but only because they won a three-way tiebreaker over the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers. Dallas has been the underdog in the first round the last two years as the lower seed, but the Mavericks are hoping to flip that script this season.

They are developing some rivalries from the playoff battles and fights for position in the standings. Here are the three teams that figure to be their biggest foes in the 2021-2022 campaign.

Anticipating the Dallas Mavericks biggest rivals for the 2021-2022 season

The Western Conference is loaded with contenders this year. The Golden State Warriors plan on returning to the championship race with a healthier season. Memphis, Portland, New Orleans, Sacramento, and Minnesota are all looking to take a step forward and qualify for the postseason. The West also features a strong group of six heavy-hitters at the top. Finishing in the top four will likely take 50 wins over the full 82-game slate.

The Mavs will be rivaling all six of the top teams, but three stand out as their biggest ones of the 2021-2022 season.