2016 NBA Predictions: A look at each team in the league
By Keith Rivas
Dallas Mavericks
When it comes to tough match ups, the Dallas Mavericks have to be included in the conversation if the opponent happens to be the Golden State Warriors.
The major story in Dallas over the offseason was the return of big man Dirk Nowitzki.
Dallas didn’t stop there, though, as they also managed to get their hands on two former Golden State players in Harrison Barnes and Andrew Bogut.
Both Bogut and Barnes are going to be in starting roles at their respective positions, and will look to give the Mavericks fireworks they haven’t seen in some time.
Experimenting with the star power that Rajon Rondo brought to the table didn’t go as planned, so the hope is that this time around the experiment works.
Barnes averaged nearly 12 points per game, along with two assists and five rebounds.
Nowitzski is a deadly force by himself, but now having Barnes to throw it out to on the wing, even from deep, is a scary thought for Western Conference juggernauts.
Dallas will make enough chaos to enter the playoffs as the eighth seed, but don’t expect them to go quietly in the first round.
Season Prediction: (47-35), 3rd in Southwest