Zach lowe in his wild NBA predictions article (really like to pay attention to this one each year) has a few predictions on the Mavs
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...ades-watch-for
8. Utah and Dallas get All-Stars again
Given good health, eight of the 12 spots in the West are locked down: Curry, Westbrook, Harden, Leonard, Davis, LeBron, Jokic, and Lillard. Minnesota should win enough for Karl-Anthony Towns to make it nine.
Paul George would normally make 10 -- leaving two measly spots -- but the Clippers say he's going to miss at least 10 games, leaving the door slightly ajar. Even if George makes it, I'm reserving one spot each for members of the Luka Doncic/Kristaps Porzingis and Mitchell/Gobert duos.
20. Dallas makes the playoffs, along with the Clippers, Lakers, Jazz, Nuggets, Rockets, Blazers, and Spurs. Golden State finishes 9th
Gulp.
The easiest prediction -- the most likely outcome -- is to take last season's field and replace Oklahoma City with the Lakers. This column is for the wild ideas -- the gut feelings that scare you, but don't go away.
Doncic and Porzingis complement each other on both ends. The supporting cast complements them. Rick Carlisle will get the most out of this team. Some interloper is going to surprise. It might be the Pelicans; if Zion Williamson is a star from day one, he is going to dunk on every postseason projection that excludes New Orleans. It might be the Kings. I'm taking Dallas.