Mapping the easiest and toughest paths to NBA title for Dallas Mavericks

With the 2024 NBA Playoffs being just a couple of weeks away, it's time to dive into what the Dallas Mavericks have done this season to get to this point and what their chances are looking like in the first round against the LA Clippers.

The Clippers are a team that many fans wanted Dallas to play because they want to see Luka Doncic and company get revenge on LA for their two playoff series losses in 2020 and 2021, and this year may be the perfect chance for the Mavs to take down their longtime rivals.

Doncic and Irving are playing like one of the best duos in the NBA, and their togetherness on and off the floor this season has been outstanding.

Mavericks Playoffs: Mapping the easiest and toughest paths to NBA title

Outside of Doncic and Irving, Dallas' role players have also stepped up. Derrick Jones Jr. and P.J. Washington were crucial for Dallas on both ends of the floor this season, and their defense on Kawhi Leonard and Paul George could make or break the Mavs' chances of taking down LA.

Slowing down Russell Westbrook in this series will also be vital to the Mavs' success, as he will be looking to push the pace for LA, play hard-nosed defense, and get the crowd involved. Westbrook has plenty of playoff experience, and he always seems to take his play to the next level against Dallas.

Another thing to keep an eye on in this series is injuries. There is tons of uncertainty regarding injuries to key players on both teams (Kawhi Leonard and Dereck Lively II) and either one of them missing time could prove to be costly.

Dallas' first game against LA is on Sunday on the road, and it's bound to be an intense series. Here we dive into the easiest path, the toughest path, and the most likely path for the Mavs to win the 2024 NBA Finals.

We'll begin with the toughest path.