02-12-2025, 12:43 PM
(02-12-2025, 11:22 AM)Smitty Wrote: Looking through my proposed 14-game absence of Davis, Gafford, and Lively. It's hard to find any easy win. I think the Mavs will be favored in 5 of them. Let's assume that's how many they win, putting their record at 33-35, before a possible return of the Mavs Big's. I think the Mavs can finish 10-4 or 9-5 from there. That puts them at 42 or 43 wins.
The 10th seed in the West last year had 46 wins. The current 9 and 10 seed, Kings and Warriors, are both on pace for 42 wins. The Kings haven gotten worse and the Warriors possibly better, post-TDL. Then you have the Suns lurking at 11, on pace for 40 wins, but a true wildcard.
Even if the Mavs make the play-in, they will likely have to win two games to even earn the chance to face the 1 seed Thunder. It is becoming more and more difficult to stay positive, but it would be really intriguing to see how a healthy Mavs roster matches up against the best in the West.
Great work Smitty.
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