We knew heading into Wednesday night's game that it was very likely, but now it's official. The Dallas Mavericks won the Southwest Division and will open the NBA playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers for the third time in five years.
Entering the second night of back-to-back games against the Miami Heat, the Mavs played an absolute defense and did what they have done so often over the last month in a 111-92 victory. Dallas not only won the fifth division title in franchise history, but also posted its second 50-win season in three years.
Luka Doncic led the way with 29 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, followed by Kyrie Irving with 25 points, three rebounds, four assists, and two steals. After the win, Irving talked about how he feels about the Mavs returning to the playoffs after missing the postseason altogether last season.
“It means a lot because this is the first time we've dealt with failure at this level,” Irving said. “Part of the human experience is not negotiating with yourself about what you want to accomplish, but just pursuing it.” I think that's what we did this season. ”
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Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The Mavs are happy to be back in the playoffs, but everyone on the team knows they haven't accomplished anything close to their overall goal of winning a championship. Daniel Gafford paid tribute to the late great Kobe Bryant by saying, “The job is not done yet” in Charlotte on Tuesday, and Irving echoed that sentiment in Miami on Wednesday.
“We know the work is not done, it's just beginning,” Irving said. “It's great and great that we accomplished that during the regular season, but this is where adults start using their abilities.” IQ guys, tap into emotional intelligence and physical intangibles. Start and may the best one win. ”
The Mavs lost to the Clippers in the first round of their 2020 and 2021 playoff series in six and seven games, respectively, but a lot has changed since then. Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and James Harden, as good as they all are, are no longer spring chickens, with Leonard missing LAC's last five games with “knee inflammation” .
For Dallas, it's no longer just Doncic. No. 77 finally has a true co-star in Irving, and he also has a talented and athletic group of role players who have helped give the Mavs the No. 1 defense in the league over the past 18 games. There are some too. We lost 16-2.
The Mavs have the star power, talent across the roster, and all the momentum in the world to make a memorable playoff berth, and that momentum will begin against their archrival, the Clippers. The only question that remains is whether the Mavs will be a No. 4 or No. 5 seed. If Dallas wins its remaining two games and LAC loses its remaining two games, the Mavs will open the postseason at American Airlines Center. But if the Mavs lose or the Clippers win, Doncic, Irving and his guys will head to Crypto.com Arena next weekend.
“We're looking forward to the challenge,” Irving said of playing against the Clippers.
