The Dallas Mavericks are breathing a sigh of relief after finally snapping their brutal 10-game losing streak with a win against the Indiana Pacers. But here's the twist: despite this victory, NBA.com's John Schuhmann dropped them one spot in the latest power rankings, leaving them at No. 24. This raises the question: is one win enough to turn things around, or are the Mavs still in trouble?
Schuhmann highlights the team's struggles, noting the absence of Cooper Flagg for the past three games and the dashed hopes of a Kyrie Irving return this season. Yet, the Mavs managed to secure a win in Indiana, marking their ninth victory in 17 games against the league's bottom eight teams. And this is the part most people miss: while their overall record is shaky, they've shown resilience in these matchups, with four straight wins against lower-ranked opponents.
The Mavs' defensive improvement is noteworthy—they're the league's sixth-most improved defensive team, allowing 1.4 fewer points per 100 possessions compared to last season. However, their defensive ranking has slipped from sixth to 14th since the start of their losing streak. Their offensive breakthrough in Indiana, where they scored over 125 points per 100 possessions for just the seventh time this season, offers a glimmer of hope.
Veteran forward Khris Middleton, set to become a free agent at season's end, could be a key piece in the Mavs' second-half push. Before Sunday's game, Middleton had averaged just 102.5 points per 100 possessions in his 73 minutes on the floor. But in Indiana, he delivered a vintage performance, shooting a perfect 5-for-5 from mid-range en route to a team-high 25 points and seven assists. Here’s a bold claim: Middleton’s mid-range prowess puts him in elite company—only Kevin Durant (53.3%), Nikola Jokić (50.3%), and Middleton (50.1%) have shot better than 50% on at least 500 mid-range attempts over the last five seasons.
As the Mavs prepare to face the Brooklyn Nets tonight—weather permitting—fans are left wondering if this win marks a turning point or just a fleeting moment of success. The game, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT at the Barclays Center, will be broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network and streamed on NBA League Pass.
Controversial question: Is Schuhmann’s decision to drop the Mavs in the rankings justified, or are the power rankings overlooking their potential for a late-season surge? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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