The defending NBA Champions are definitely in solid playoff positioning and are hoping to climb their way back to the top after a rough start to their season. Currently the Dallas Mavericks are No. 8 in the latest NBA Power Rankings from SB Nation's Tom Ziller. Ziller writes:
Dallas continues to do enough to remain safely in the playoff bracket. Oddly enough, the incredible Lamar Odom saga continues to largely get ignored nationally. That's probably for the best.
Dallas is going to have to get better on the road, currently at a 10-14 record, if they want to advance far. They're 5-5 in their last 10 games, and the team has yet to have the look of a defending champ all season when compared to the elite contenders like the Thunder, Spurs or Bulls. Still the NBA Playoffs are a whole different ball game and that's when Dirk Nowitzki and company need to come alive.
For more on the Mavericks go check out Mavs Moneyball.