<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> The Mavericks play them one at a time, which is a big reason why they win almost all of them one at a time. That doesn't mean the rest of us have to do it that way. And now seems like a perfect time to play the final 23 games of the season all at once. Let the Mavericks worry about New Jersey Tuesday night and a cumbersome four-day break between games that follows. Here, we take them 23 at a time. So what can the Mavericks expect over the next six weeks? Can they legitimately claim they have a shot at the second 70-win season in NBA history, joining the 1995-96 Bulls? And do they really care about such a thing? To that last question, we know the answer. The Mavericks won't put any champagne in any cups to celebrate 70 wins ? unless there's an NBA title that follows in June. But that doesn't mean this little six-month exercise known as the regular season is meaningless. "Oh, it matters," coach Avery Johnson said. "You hear some players that say the regular season doesn't count at all. I disagree with that. You need the regular season for evaluating. You need the regular season to get in some game situations that you may see in the playoffs. You just can't jump up in the playoffs and be good all of the sudden. "So even though what you do in the playoffs really, really counts, you need to practice what's going to count now. And if you want to be in the rotation in the playoffs, it's a good time to show me you want to be in it now." While all those things are true, the bottom line is that the Mavericks are having one of the greatest regular seasons in NBA history. And they know it. They just aren't preoccupied with it. They are on pace to win 69.46 games. A win Tuesday night against the Nets will give them an 85-percent winning rate ? a pace for 69.7 victories. Clearly, it's not a stretch to suggest 70 wins is a reachable goal. To get there, they must go 20-3 the rest of the way, slightly better than their 50-9 record so far, but not nearly as stunning as the 36-2 that they've gone since Dec. 13. </div> Source
i hope Phil would decrease Dallas' chance of reaching his 70 win mark (72 to be exact) by beating them next week LOL
Of course they CAN win 70, they could even win 71 MAYBE.... but the likelihood is they'll top out in the mid 60's...
While 70 might be nice, I wouldn't want to hit it if I were Dallas. Sure, it'd be one of the best seasons ever, but they're going to have it regardless of whether or not they reach it. If they hit 70, I think the expectations in the playoffs will be higher than what they already will be, and many people (fans and media) will expect nothing less than a title. Personally, I wouldn't want that kind of pressure on me going into the playoffs.
<div class="quote_poster">Moo2K4 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">many people (fans and media) will expect nothing less than a title</div> Too late, that's what is expected from a team who was in the Finals just last year and is going to win 60+ games this year. 60, 65, 69, 70, 71 it doesn't matter how many they win at this point, the expectations are going to be the exact same, title or bust. The Mavs have a tough April, combined with the fact they are going to lock up the best record in the NBA soon and then rest their players, I don't think they'll reach 70; I'll agree with 23MJordan23 and say 68-14.
If they win the rest of their games (or at least 72) and win a title, I'll become a Mavs fan for life (just to piss off Heat fans in Miami).
They definitely can do it the question is do they want to spend that much energy in trying to achieve it. It might be on the medias mind because thats their job by I guarantee its not on Avery Johnsons or the teams mind. There going to get the number one seed throughout the Playoffs so once its sealed I don't expect them to try and play the starters huge minutes in trying to achieve 70 wins, they need to be healthy in the Playoffs. You say "1997" and most people say "Bulls win the Championship"
They won't win 70 games. I'm thinking more in the range of 63-66 wins. Will the Mavs have anything left in the tank for playoffs? I hope so.
<div class="quote_poster">Rimwrecker Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> Will the Mavs have anything left in the tank for playoffs? I hope so.</div> Definitely. Mavs are a deep team. They go 2 deep in every position and Avery has a 10 man rotation per game and does a great job of limiting Dirk, Howard and Terry' minutes. They've only been averaging 35 mins a game.
well after last nights loss to golden state the mavs would have to win the rest of their games to reach 70. I think after they clinch homecourt they will rest Dirk Howard and Terry. So I don't think they will
<div class="quote_poster">C.MELO15 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">well after last nights loss to golden state the mavs would have to win the rest of their games to reach 70. I think after they clinch homecourt they will rest Dirk Howard and Terry. So I don't think they will</div> Actually I believe they can still lose two games and get seventy.
<div class="quote_poster">huevonkiller Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Actually I believe they can still lose two games and get seventy.</div> Yeah you're right must have looked at the standings wrong
