Coach Rick Carlisle called it a "disappointing loss'' and acknowledged that calling Luka "frustrated'' was "a fair assessment.''
Tim Hardaway Jr. offered big-picture analysis by noting, “Portland lost (Tuesday), and we needed this win (in order to climb up from No. 7 in the West.) "So yes, it does put us back a little bit.''
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2021/4...d-the-7th-seed
First Round Matchup
Assuming Dallas wins the game above, this would result in the Mavericks play the Phoenix Suns, a team that has beaten us not once, not twice, but three times this year. The Suns have two top tier closers, a top 10 defense and offense and have the most versatile young defenders in the West that can guard multiple positions.
Additionally, the possibility of the Utah Jazz losing games and dropping to the two seed concerns me more since they have also beaten Dallas three times.
The Mavs NEED to avoid the 7th seed and the Play-In tournament in general and and lock down the 6th seed or higher. The Mavericks have to take advantage of the weak schedule and hope either the Blazers remaining Strength of Schedule and defensive woes cause them to drop or the Lakers injury problems continue.
Any rise to 6th means likely playing the Clippers. The Mavericks have played the other Los Angeles team well this season.