Power Rankings: 3-Game Win Streak Helps Dallas Mavs Jump 4 Spots
Following the first week of 2024, the Dallas Mavericks own a 22-15 record as they sit as the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference.
This week, the Mavs went undefeated with Kyrie Irving back in the lineup, blowing past the Portland Trail Blazers in back-to-back games dominant victories before holding off the No. 1 seed Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night, 115-108.
Dallas held off Minnesota's comeback effort as the Mavs held a nine-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Timberwolves fought back to take a 106-100 lead with just under four minutes remaining but Dallas outscored Minnesota 15-2 to close out the game behind a combined 69 points from Irving and Luka Doncic.
In this week's edition of CBS Sports' NBA Power Rankings, the Mavs moved up four spots from No. 9 to break into the top-5.
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CBS Sports' analysis: "A perfect week for the Mavs, who beat the Blazers twice and picked up a huge win over the Timberwolves on Sunday. Kyrie Irving is back to his old self, averaging 29 points, nine rebounds and five assists this week on 53/56/88 shooting splits. Luka Doncic continued his MVP bid, averaging 37.5 points on 47% 3-point shooting in the two games he played."
It's a small sample size but Irving has indeed looked like his old self since returning to the lineup after missing 12 games due to a foot injury. But it's not just Dallas offense that's clicking on all cylinders -- it's their defense.
Over the last 10 games, Dallas has really dialed in on the defensive end of the floor, owning a 110.8 defensive rating that ranks third in the league. And with some of those games being without the likes of Dereck Lively II and Dante Exum, the Mavs' defense could get even better.
With a rather tough schedule on the horizon over the next month, where the Mavericks stand amongst the league's best teams will be tested.
