With last night's win over the Utah Jazz, the Dallas Mavericks improved to 41-29 on the year.
Dallas has been on a three-game winning streak and looks like they can go toe-to-toe with any team in the league if they keep this up.
The Mavs were once known as a 3-point shooting team, but the dominance of their big men has transformed them into a strong team even at the bottom. They outrebound and bully opponents in the paint and look like a team that could make some noise in the playoffs.
With Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on the team, anything can happen. They are one of the best duos in the NBA and, when fully healthy, will take this team to new heights.
Here are five teams that are worse than the Dallas Mavericks despite having better records than the Dallas Mavericks.
Despite beating the Dallas Mavericks last time out on a wild buzzer-beater from Max Strus, they are clearly better than the Cleveland Cavaliers at the moment and are moving forward.
The Cavs are currently 43-25 on the year, but the loss came at the worst possible time. Dean Wade, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strauss, and Evan Mobley are all battling injuries right now, but without Strauss, Mobley, and Mitchell, the Mavs are at a better level than Cleveland.
With these players out, the Mavs can't build the same type of continuity that they are building now. Dallas is without Josh Green due to a sprained ankle, but having Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving healthy is a big difference from last year.
Even if Mobley were healthy, the Mavs would match up well with them, as both of their big men would be able to play big minutes. The Mavs won't be forced to play small ball against the Cavs, and will likely play down low.
The Mavs won't play the Cavs again, but if they do, the Mavs will likely put up a better fight than the last time they met.
