Dallas Mavericks have just one path to make the NBA playoffs: 2 wins, 1 Oklahoma City loss

The Dallas Mavericks have only one path to making the NBA playoffs.

And it’s a three-step process.

With the regular season ending on Sunday, the Mavericks are currently in 11th place in the NBA’s Western Conference with a 38-42 record. Oklahoma City is in 10th place with a 39-42 record.

Oklahoma City moved ahead of the Mavericks with a 114-98 win over Utah on Thursday.

Only the top 10 teams advance.

Because Oklahoma City owns the tie-breaker over the Mavericks (based on their head-to-head series this season), the only way for the Mavericks to make the playoffs is for:

▪ The Mavericks to beat the Chicago Bulls (38-42) on Friday night.

▪ Oklahoma City to lose its season finale on Sunday against Memphis (50-30).

▪ Th Mavericks to beat San Antonio (21-59) on Sunday.

If those three things occur, the Mavericks will finish with a 40-42 record and the Thunder will finish with a 39-43 record. The Mavericks will advance to the mini play-in tournament and play the ninth-seed (likely the MInnesota Timberwolves)