OAKLAND, Calif. - In November, December and January, the Mavericks faced twice-reigning champion Golden State three times, winning once.
The largest victory margin in those three meetings was five points. After the most recent meeting, a 119-114 Warriors victory in Dallas on Jan. 13, the Mavericks’ record was 20-23.
There even were flickering thoughts that, if Dallas somehow eked into the playoffs, a Warriors-Mavericks first-round series might be mildly entertaining.
That was then, which isn’t the Mavericks’ reality now.
Though Dallas’ future appears bright with Rookie of the Year frontrunner Luka Doncic, and with Kristaps Porzingis in the wings for next season, its 2018-19 season is in free-fall.