5 games remain in the 2008-2009 regular season for the Mavs. Their playoff fate will be sealed in the next 5 games. For them to have any chance at advancing into the second round, it is imperative that they get out of the #8 seed. Realistically the Mavs have no chance to win a 7 game series against the Lakers. Best case scenario they hold serve with home court and push them to 6 or 7 games.
In order to get out of the 8 seed, the Mavs are going to need some help. The loss against Memphis killed their chances at controlling their own destiny. The good news is that they have a say in where they end up. The bad news is that they do not have complete say.
Currently, the Mavericks record is 46-31. Going 5-0 puts this team at 51-31. Here is their schedule and my predictions:
Weds - vs Utah - W
Friday - vs New Orleans - W
Sunday - @ New Orleans - W
4/13 - vs Minnesota - W
4/15 - vs Houston - W
Final season record 50-32
Here is the remaining schedule for the Jazz and my predictions
Weds - @ Dallas - L
Friday - @ San Antonio - L
Sat - vs Golden State - W
4/13 - vs LA Clippers - W
4/14 - @ LA Lakers - L
Final Season Record - 49-33
Here is the remaining schedule for the Hornets and my predictions
Tues - @ Miami - W
Weds - vs Phoenix - W
Fri - @ Dallas - L
Sun - vs Dallas - W
4/13 - @ Houston - L
4/15- @ San Antonio - L
Final Season Record - 50-32
The Hornets own the tie-breaker against the Mavs so the only way the Mavs can pass them is if New Orleans has a slip up @ Miami, or vs Phoenix.
It is unrealistic to think that the Mavs can sweep the remaining games against the Hornets, but I think they can and will split.
Seeds #6 and #7 are reasonable, however, their is little margin for error. If the Mavs can win out at home and get a little lucky, they might be playing Denver or San Antonio in the first round, which both present tough challenges but are not as bad of a matchup as LA.
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