Though much can still change – this is the NBA, after all – the Mavericks appear to be on a collision course with the Utah Jazz in the first round of the playoffs.
That’s what makes Friday’s visit to Minnesota so intriguing.
Luka Dončić has had some interesting exchanges with the Timberwolves’ Patrick Beverley – going back to Beverley’s time with the Los Angeles Clippers the last few seasons when LA and the Mavericks met in the playoffs.
It continued Monday in Dallas, when the emotional Beverley gave Dončić a few exuberant slaps on the backside and was clapping throughout officiating calls that went against him.
It was the kind of competitive jousting that both players not only handle, but enjoy.
So what does that have to do with Utah?
Dončić also has had his share of conversations with Jazz center Rudy Gobert, who will be at American Airlines Center on Sunday in a potential playoff primer.
While fans may take offense at other teams trying to get under Luka’s skin, his teammates don’t have the smallest amount of concern about it.
“I thought Luka did a great job,” coach Jason Kidd said of the way he dealt with Beverley in Monday’s meeting. “He didn’t get a T (technical foul), did he?
“I think we understand that it’s mid or late March and we understand what’s at stake.”
Even when Luka shot 5-of-17 in that game, he had 10 assists and ran the Mavericks at both ends of the court smartly at crunch time.
“Luka loves the competition,” said Dwight Powell. “He’s not fazed by any of those antics. He enjoys competing and Patrick Beverley obviously is a massive competitor.”
And, added Dorian Finney-Smith: “Everybody likes to talk. Luka loves it too. If you talk to Luka, he’s going to turn it up. It’s a mutual respect between them.”
So it’s a perfect warm-up for Sunday’s Jazz visit to Dallas.
But it’s also a game that could solidify the Mavericks’ spot in the playoffs – if not mathematically, then certainly when it comes to the eye test.
They are 45-28. Minnesota is 42-32. A Mavericks’ win puts them five games up on the Wolves in the loss column with only eight games left.
Again, it wouldn’t be a mathematical lock. But the Mavericks would have to collapse completely not to finish in the top six in that scenario.
And, also, Denver remains in between the Mavericks and Wolves.
So a victory Friday would continue to put the Mavericks in the driver’s seat not only for a sure-fire playoff berth, but for perhaps passing Utah for fourth in the West and home-court advantage in the first round.
“We have to go up there and find a way to win,” Jalen Brunson said before the Mavericks departed for the quick trip north. “It’s going to be a tough environment, a tough team to play. We got to try to not let anything distract us. No matter who’s out there or what’s out there.”
Twitter: @ESefko
Share and comment