Ranking the Mavericks' potential playoff opponents from piece of cake to nightmare

7. Sacramento Kings

On Tuesday night, the Dallas Mavericks destroyed the Sacramento Kings on the road. After a back-and-forth first half, the Mavs put their foot on the gas and won by over 20 points.

Kyrie Irving took this game over in the second half, and Luka Doncic got the rest that he needed in the fourth quarter. Doncic was a game-time decision with Achilles soreness, and he was able to rest since the Mavs were blowing Sacramento out.

Dallas' defense down low on Domantas Sabonis was impressive, and this team may not be as good as people think they are.

Tuesday night's game against the Kings wasn't a good showing of who they actually are, but the Mavs match up with Sacramento much better than people think. Sacramento has one of the best bigs in the NBA in Sabonis, but the Mavs have several players that they can throw at him.

Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, and P.J. Washington did a great job of defending Sabonis, and Dallas also beat Sacramento on Friday.

With Malik Monk's injury and the Mavs' ability to slow down Sabonis, the Kings aren't an awful matchup. Dallas beating the Kings twice in a row shouldn't be overlooked, and the Mavs may just have their number.

It doesn't seem likely that the Mavs will match up with the Kings in the first round, but I don't think they pose much of a threat to Dallas regardless.