The J-Notes
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Who Should Utah Jazz Fans Cheer For to Earn the Eighth Seed?

Jan 26, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) celebrate with the rest of his team after taking the lead in the third quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Utah Jazz won 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) celebrate with the rest of his team after taking the lead in the third quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Utah Jazz won 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
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Feb 9, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) and head coach Rick Carlisle react during the game against the Utah Jazz at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) and head coach Rick Carlisle react during the game against the Utah Jazz at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Mavericks

Games Back From Eighth Place: 3

Key Strength: Veteran Experience and Savviness

Key Weakness: Offensive Firepower

In some ways it’s a shame that the Dallas Mavericks got off to such a putrid start as they have played much better of late (started 3-14, 20-21 since, 13-11 in last 24) and given the number of talented guys on their roster, they could have very well been a shoe-in for that eighth seed.

Now, however, they’ll be fighting for their lives just to try to get into the playoffs.

Three games back is quite a hill to climb with such limited time, however this is an ever-dangerous Mavericks team given the seasoned vets they have leading the team such as Dirk Nowitzki, Wesley Matthews and of course former Warrior Harrison Barnes.

To be quite honest, between the connection with Harrison Barnes and the fact that Steph Curry’s brother Seth plays for the Mavericks, this match-up could actually make for somewhat of an intriguing series.

However, it’d likely be a series that would come to a quick end for the Mavs. While a Rick Carlisle-led Dallas team is never one to be trifled with in the playoffs, especially given that this squad has plenty of weapons in the guys I mentioned earlier as well as electrifying newcomers Yogi Ferrell and Nerlens Noel, it simply seems like they’d have no chance of keeping up with Golden State.

Dallas is currently last in the league in points per game and while that partially has to do with them playing at a slow pace much like the Jazz, it also is a result of the fact that the Mavs frankly don’t have that great of an offense. Defensively they may be able to rein the Warriors in for stretches, but there’s just no way they could put up enough points to legitimately threaten Golden State.

The Warriors have won both contests against Dallas so far this season, holding the Mavs under 100 points each time. And while Dallas certainly boasts some good veteran experience, their overall lack of talent (or in Dirk’s case, youth) would likely allow them to put up little resistance against a high-octane Warriors team.

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