13 games

Just after the Jason Kidd trade, I predicted the Dallas Mavericks would miss the playoffs.

Unfortunately, my prediction is perilously close to being true.

Currently, they are a mere full game from the eighth seed. I stand by my prediction, but missing the playoffs would be painful. If Kidd is worth all this trouble, I'd at least want to see what the guy can do in the Western Conference playoffs.

Thus, the next 13 games are the most important 13 regular season games of the past decade for this franchise.

Certain domination in these 13 games through end of March would essentially lock up a playoff spot. With enough focus, hard play and execution, these 13 games could redefine the entire season. Say, a 11-2 or 12-1 run could put them in the top four (they're currently two games out of the fourth seed ... with three teams to jump.) Any kind of home-court advantage would go a long way for a team that dominates at home and turns into the Washington Generals on the road.

13-0. Well, let's not even talk about.

With little ado, the 13 most important games for the Dallas Mavericks.

vs. Houston Rockets -- Thursday, March 6
How this team has won 15 straight games is beyond me. Well, actually, it's defense. But it doesn't hurt that many of their opponents are patsies. Furthermore, Yao Ming's out. Granted, they allegedly play better D without him, but he's always given the Mavs fits. Missing him does hurt here on the road. Plus, the Mavs catch them on the tail end of a back to back as the Mavs have been off since Monday.

vs. New Jersey Nets -- Saturday, March 8
This one is scary, but it's a must-win. Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson scare me. Devin Harris and the revenge factor scares me. But it's the awful Nets at home. They have to win.

vs. New York Knicks -- Monday, March 10
This team is an absolute joke. The Mavs should roll here.

vs. Charlotte Bobcats -- Wednesday, March 12
The Bobcats are 4-22 on the road. Ugh. Without Gerald Wallace, this team looks even more pedestrian than they already were.

vs. Indiana Pacers -- Friday, March 14
Scary game here. Any team that can score, is not an easy out especially with the shooters they have. The Mavs have trouble with shooters. Danny Granger tore them up when they met in a Pacer win in November.

at Miami Heat -- Sunday, March 16
After five straight home games, the Mavs travel to Miami. There's a better than zero chance that the Heat would have officially waved the white flag and provide little resistance at home. But the way the Mavs have played on the road, who the hell knows how this one turns out. It is imperative the Mavs win their road games against bad teams.

That is leg No. 1 of the 13 game escapade. The Mavs have to go 6-0. Just no two ways about it. 6-0.

Leg No. 2:

vs. Los Angeles Lakers -- Tuesday, March 18
I do not care how good the Lakers are or how many wins they'll have. I don't care if Kobe Bryant's parents officiate the freakin' game. The Mavs need to win at home and start winning teams that are better than them. After the pre-ordained 6-0, the Mavs probably lose here. Seriously, Bryant's parents might actually officiate and he'll get 60 free throws.

vs. Boston Celtics -- Thursday, March 20
Theory: The Celtics being so awesome in the Eastern Conference will have their playoff seeding set by March 20. Just a theory. Mavs can't lose two straight.

vs. San Antonio Spurs -- Sunday, March 23
And they sure as hell can't lose three straight. Mavs gotta nut up and win two of three.

vs. Los Angeles Clippers -- Tuesday, March 25
Mavs roll.

at Denver Nuggets -- Thursday, March 27
Home cooking is done. This should be a huge game because the Nuggets will be right there fighting for a playoff spot, but by this time the Mavs had better have their shit together and beat a lower-rung team.

at Golden State Warriors -- Sunday, March 30
What a huge game. Both teams, like the Nuggets, will be battling for a plyaoff spot and positioning.

at Los Angeles Clippers -- Monday, March 31
If you're going to play a back to back, having the Clips be the ass-end helps.

There you go. Three losses is acceptable. Anything more than that might be killer. Anything above that remakes this team and what they look like going into April.