[ESPN Dallas] Mavericks hope to face Rockets in first round

I wouldn't say people say its meaningless, it just might feel like it if you flame out and don't show up when it matters. I seriously don't know what I'll say if the rockets get booted as a 2nd seed...those type of scenarios make the RS hype feel worse.

 

Definitely don't disagree with you at all. The Rockets have to perform in the playoffs if they want to ever be taken seriously. Not sure where it'd rank in terms of disappointment with the Rockets, but it sure would be up there.

 

10,000+ views in a day... wow. You crazy Dallas fans be up on our forum. GTFO.

 

The best road map to the finals. We stay at the 2 seed. Status quo for everybody. We bear Dallas. Memphis beats the Spurs. We beat Memphis. Winner of Houston vs. GS plays the Cleveland in the finals.

 

I'd rather not see kawhi leonard vs harden match up.

 

this is the best scenario we can hope for, except I would much rather play Atlanta in the finals than Cleveland. We played the hawks very close in both games and I believe one was without Harden...and honestly, we should have won both of those games.

I don't know how we would fare against a fully healthy Cleveland team with the subtraction of Beverley to guard Kyrie, we could be in a lot of trouble. Last time we played them (they were without Kyrie and LeBron had a terrible game) we barely won the game.

 

I don't think you're being totally fair in your analysis. While it's true Cleveland was down Kyrie, the Rockets won without Dwight. I can see the concern matching up with Kyrie without Bev but that is offset by us having a hopefully healthy Dwight back by then. Also Ariza deserves a lot of the credit for LeBron's "terrible game." LeBron has also historically not performed well in Houston for whatever reason. Not to mention we are 2-0 against them this year.

 

No. Spurs should go 5th and face the Warriors in the 2nd round. The Spurs might beat GSW and we have a better chance against the Spurs than the Warriors.

 

You are correct in that Atlanta would be the preferable match up in the finals, but odds makers probably have the Cavaliers to make it out of the east.

 

Why not? If Harden is who we think he is he'll rise to the occasion. If not he'll fold. Nothing to be afraid of. I've seen Harden abuse some of the best defenders in this league. Will Kawhii lock him up at times? Yes. But I'm not afraid of that matchup. In fact I want to see it.

 

Only reason I don't want to play Dallas is if we somehow lose, I hate the idea of Parsons getting out of the 1st round beating us, hearing from Mavs fans, and how the GARM will be.

 

This matchup just got better for us if Rondo is forced to miss some games with that hyperextended knee.

 

I'd actually rather face Rondo. Basically 4 on 5 on defense.

 

Be careful what you wish for.

 

Look where ESPN has us if we faced the Mavs:

Spoiler

http://espn.go.com/blog/nba/post/_/id/500/western-conference-playoff-projections

 

Well at least ESPN is consistent.

 

They'll beat us in six if we don't take em to seven? What in the world...

 

same with the other matchups except the GS series.

 

home court advantage. i don't find anything shocking from these percentages/predictions.

 

Don't sleep on SA and Dallas may end up with them anyway, especially if San Antonio beats us twice and ends up in 1st place in our division.

However, I would love playing this version of the Mavericks. Put the broke down 37 yr old Dirk in a pick n roll on D and let James cook him! Let Rondo shoot as much as he wants, jumpers that is.

Revene is a dish best served cold!!!