3 teams Mavericks want to avoid in 1st round of 2023 NBA Playoffs

Why Golden State Warriors are a nightmare matchup for Dallas Mavericks in 2023 NBA Playoffs

No team wants to face the defending champions if they are healthy. Golden State has won four of the last eight championships, and they present a unique matchup for any opponent. The Warriors' ability to move off the ball and create open shots killed the Mavericks' run to the conference finals last season. Now, Dallas' defense is worse, and they cannot match the Warriors' synergy.

Klay Thompson is back to his pre-injury form. Over the last 28 games, he is averaging 25.9 points per game on 45.7 percent shooting from the field and 43.1 percent on his 3-point tries. Having both Splash Brothers firing on all cylinders puts Golden State on the short list of contenders in the Western Conference.

Dallas has nobody to even slow down Stephen Curry, and Draymond Green will create fits for the Mavericks' offense. The Warriors dominated the Mavs in five games last year, and Dallas likely faces a similar fate if the two sides match up in this year’s postseason.

The Dallas Mavericks need to get hot down the stretch to ensure they qualify for the 2023 NBA Playoffs. They would invite first-round matchups against the Kings and Grizzlies, and renewing their rivalry with the Suns would be the juiciest showdown. Will Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving lead Dallas to the postseason? Stay tuned to find out.