Who is the Mavs' biggest threat in the playoffs?

Answer 1

if the warriors actually get in and they face each other, the mavs will get scared sh*tless! and im being serious... its all facts that the warriors have beaten the mavs both times they played this season and last season too! other than them... most likely the suns for the western conference and either the pistons or heat again for the finals.

Answer 2

The Mavs' worst enemy is themselves. Of course it doesn't help when Golden State takes 4 straight. The playoffs are about matchups and adjustments. Out of the 3 top teams in the West, the Mavs are the best suited. Phoenix has the better talent, San Antonio has the experience, but the Mavs' are a hybrid in a sense that they have the personnel to match up with a team better to match the playing style than the other 2. It shown this season the Mavs have beaten each of them twice. What will define the playoffs for the Mavs is how much they can eliminate mental mistakes and fundamental breakdowns. That's with any team. Take the Golden State game, for instance. What did in the Mavs in just the first 2 minutes when they were down 8-0, was that they didn't protect the ball and they didn't follow their system. They were completely out of their element. Avery did the best he could to make adjustments with his troops, but when one of them (Devin Harris) "falls asleep at the wheel", a person like Baron Davis can have a field day in assists, not to mention blowing by defenders using crossover after crossover to get to the hoop. And he's not even the 2-time defending MVP. I would've loved to be a fly on the wall on the flight back to Dallas after that game. Avery probably knew that this would happen and he let them know it. But in a sense, it may have been good for them to lose now, just to bring a sense of humility back to the team. At this point, any team that watched the film of what the Warriors did will be the biggest threat to the Mavs in the playoffs. But Avery being a "film-junkie" probably dissected that film and will make as many adjustments he needs to do, even if it means tweaking the starting lineup.

Answer 3

Phoenix. The Mavs just ended a 17-game winning streak, which would typically place a sizeable gap between you and your closest foe.

But guess what: when the Mavs lost, Phoenix moved into 3.5 game behind.

Phoenix is just as good as Dallas, and certainly has better players. The battle for the West (and the NBA championship), will come down to Avery's coaching ablity against the Suns, which might just be enough.

Answer 4

Definitely the Spurs. San Antonio has owned the Mavs in the playoffs and they are quietly building a 13 game win streak.

Answer 5

BELIEVE IT OR NOT...
If the Warriors take the #8 spot then Warriors are...
4 straight wins over the Mavs...

Answer 6

The Spurs...they have more experience in tough situations...thats not saying Mavs are pushovers but they would have to really fight for that series.

Answer 7

phoenix or spurs
having a great season record doesnt mean too much. anything can happen in the playoff because all the teams play at higher level of intensity.

Answer 8

The only threat is themselves. If they play Avery's game there is no one that can beat them in a 7 game series.

Answer 9

The Spurs. Phoenix can't play slow ball, but the Spurs can. They also play D and have vast experience.

Answer 10

The Phoenix Suns...with steve nash, barbosa, marion...watch out dallas...oh yea didn't the warriors snap there winning streak....