Dallas Mavericks Gear Up for Final Playoff Push

Two of the four play-in positions in the Eastern Conference will not change, with a third close to clinching a spot. The No. 8-10 spots likely will stay the same heading into the playoffs. The closest race at the moment is between the Miami Heat and the Brooklyn Nets. One game separates the two for a chance to avoid the play-in tournament entirely.

Eastern Conference Standings

1. Milwaukee (57-22)

2. Boston (54-25)

3. Philadelphia (52-27)

4. Cleveland (50-30)

5. New York (46-33)

6. Brooklyn (43-36)

Play-In Positions

7. Miami (42-37)

8. Atlanta (40-39)

9. Toronto (40-39)

10. Chicago (38-41)

In the Western Conference, The No. 5-12 seedings are so close in the standings that shifts up or down could occur every evening. On Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Lakers rallied to beat the Utah Jazz in overtime, and the Golden State Warriors overcame a 10-point deficit to Oklahoma City. 

Western Conference Standings

1. Denver (52-27)

2. Memphis (50-29)

3. Sacramento (48-31)

4. Phoenix (44-35)

5. Golden State (42-38)

6. Los Angeles Clippers (41-38)

Play-In Race

7. Los Angeles Lakers (41-38)

8. New Orleans (40-39)

9. Minnesota (40-40)

10. Oklahoma City (38-42)

11. Dallas (37-42)

12. Utah (36-43)

The Mavericks not only need to win out, but they also need some help. Luckily, the Lakers and Clippers play each other on Wednesday, and the New Orleans Pelicans have a tough matchup tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Oklahoma City Thunder also play the Grizzlies before the end of the season. The Mavs have to play the No. 3 seed Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night before playing the Chicago Bulls on Friday and the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday. While beating both the Kings and Bulls will be difficult, the Mavs can sneak in.