They’re feeling good in Dallas again. 7-3 over the last ten. Just upended the red hot Washington Wizards, 112-107, using a 13-0 run late. After an ugly start to the season, the Mavericks are now a threat every night — and against any team. And of all the teams fighting for the 8th spot in the Western Conference, the Mavs are by far the best at defending their home floor. Even a #1 seed as good as the Golden State Warriors, especially if they aren’t 100% like now, won’t want to see 30,000-point scorer Dirk Nowitzki and company in the first round of the NBA playoffs. They just don’t.
Because the post-All-Star-break Mavs are more like a 5 or 6 seed — and they’ll just be wearing an 8 seed costume if they can manage to grab the spot. Former Warriors forward Harrison Barnes has been rock solid as he increasingly becomes the centerpiece. Against Washington, Barnes played 39 minutes, scoring 22 on 62.5% shooting while grabbing nine boards. Seth Curry continues to thrive also, shooting 60% for 19 points despite playing against one of the best guard tandems in the league in John Wall and Bradley Beal. (Defending Beal and Wall did cost Curry 5 personal fouls though, just as it did backcourt mate Yogi Ferrell.) T
