Who Mavericks fans should root for (and against) in today's NBA games

The Dallas Mavericks have lost eight of their last 11 games to fall to 37-40 on the season. They are 11th in the Western Conference and one game back of tenth and the final Play-In Tournament spot with five games to go in the regular season.

The harsh reality is the Mavs may not make the postseason. They are just one year removed from being in the conference finals, and they were fourth in the West shortly after the Kyrie Irving trade, but the bottom has fallen out for Dallas. The flaws of their roster keep catching up to them, and the team looks ready to throw in the towel.

The Mavericks are not yet eliminated, but they need some help to reach the playoffs. With an off day on March 31, here is a look at who MFFLs should root for in today’s action.

Who Mavericks fans should root for (and against) in today's NBA games

The Mavs are in a difficult spot as they are on the verge of missing the playoffs, but they may not have a high draft pick to show for it. Dallas owes their first-rounder top ten protected to the Knicks from the original Kristaps Porzingis trade, and they currently have the 11th-worst record. The Mavs need something to go right in the final week-plus, and here is what fans should be rooting for tonight.

Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers

Who to root for: Pacers

This one is simple. The Thunder are tenth in the West and just one game up on the Mavericks for the final Play-In place. OKC holds the tiebreaker, so Dallas needs every loss down the stretch. Can Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle help his former team tonight? Fans should root for an Indiana win.

Utah Jazz at Boston Celtics

Who to root for: Celtics

Do not look now, but the Jazz are just 0.5 game behind Dallas in the standings. Utah would have the same record as the Mavericks with a win here, but Dallas holds the tiebreaker by winning the season series. Root for a Celtics victory to create some space in the standings.

LA Clippers at Memphis Grizzlies

Who to root for: Clippers

Do you want the rival Clippers in the Play-In Tournament? Knowing Kawhi Leonard can go nuclear in any game is scary. LA can nearly guarantee they will be in the playoffs with a victory, and fans should be rooting for that.

Los Angeles Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves

Who to root for: Timberwolves

This is a massive game as the Timberwolves are just 0.5 game up on the Lakers at eighth and ninth in the Western Conference. Dallas is 1.5 games back of LA, but they hold the tiebreaker. Mavericks fans want the Timberwolves to win on their home floor to make it two teams Luka Doncic and company could catch in the standings.

San Antonio Spurs at Golden State Warriors

Who to root for: Warriors

Golden State is just one game from falling into the Play-In Tournament, and the Mavericks certainly do not want to see them in it. Root for the Dubs to take care of the Spurs tonight and stay in the top six.

The Dallas Mavericks are back in action on Saturday night against the Miami Heat in a massive game with seeding implications on both sides. Do not miss it.