Dallas Mavericks
Record: 25-19
When DeAndre Jordan turned his back on the Dallas Mavericks during the summer and elected to re-sign with the Los Angeles Clippers instead, not many pegged the Mavs as a team that was going to compete for a playoff spot, especially not in the Western Conference.
That, however, was a false assumption. The Mavericks are very much in the West playoff race and have all the makings of one. Deron Williams looks like an entirely different player in Dallas and Wes Matthews has recovered nicely from his torn Achilles injury.
Dirk Nowitzki is still doing amazing things for his age and Rick Carlisle continues to prove that he’s the second-best coach in the NBA. The Mavs have had a fine season, everything considered.
Grade: B
Next: Denver Nuggets